Two dead after suspected terror attack on Manchester synagogue, police say, with suspect shot by officers – latest

A man who lives on White House Avenue close to the synagogue said he saw two men in handcuffs being led away by police.

The man, who did not want to be identified, told the PA news agency: “They’ve arrested two people on our road.”

He said he did not know the men, or which house they were linked to.

“They’ve closed the road and there’s a police helicopter just over us. There were six or seven police cars with armed police,” he added.
He said White House Avenue is a no-through road and is usually “very quiet”.

The co-chairman of the British Muslim Network Imam Qari Asim said he was “horrified” by an attack which was “utterly abhorrent and has no place in our society”.

He said:

My thoughts are with the victims, their families and British Jewish community, who are understandably shaken and hurt.

This act of violence is utterly abhorrent and has no place in our society. Places of worship must always be sanctuaries of peace and safety - not scenes of fear and hatred.

We cannot ignore the growing tide of religious hatred in our country. Whether it is Islamophobia, antisemitism or any form of bigotry, we must confront it together - with unity and courage, not silence. As a British Muslim leader, let me be clear - antisemitism in all its forms is totally unacceptable.

The bloodshed and violence in the Middle East - which is excruciatingly painful to witness for all of us - must not be allowed to poison our streets in Britain. We must never let pain abroad be used to justify hatred and violence against anyone at home. British Jews, British Muslims and all communities must be able to live together without violence, intimidation and the fear of being targeted because of their faith.

Together, we must reject hatred, resist division and reaffirm our shared commitment to peace, human dignity and co-existence. We ask all communities to remain vigilant and supportive, in particular around places of worship. This is a moment for all communities to come together and build a future rooted in respect, understanding and shared values.

A bomb disposal unit was sent to the scene after footage shared on social media appeared to show members of the public shouting to firearms officers that the suspect had a bomb strapped to him.

Labour MP Graham Stringer has said there is a Jewish school with “heavy security” near the synagogue that has been attacked in Manchester.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One, the Blackley and Middleton South MP said he thinks it is “depressing” and “appalling” that it is felt those children are under such a threat that security has to be paid for at their school.

He added that despite an increase in attacks on Jewish people, that “shouldn’t distort the fact that actually the vast majority of people in the Jewish community, the Muslim community, other communities, there is a real level of tolerance and a determination to get along with each other”.

He insisted there is a “determination between the communities to not let those extremist, evil people wind things up”.

Stringer also said he is “particularly upset” by an attack on the synagogue, which is in his constituency, because he knows some of the congregation “by first name”.

Police move bystanders outside the synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester, as the suspect lies on ground.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has said he is “horrified and appalled” by the synagogue attack today.

In a post on X, he said:

Horrified and appalled by the attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

My thoughts are with the victims, our brave emergency services and the entire Jewish community.

Police appear to be searching a residential property around 500 metres from the synagogue that was attacked this morning.

Officers have cordoned off White House Avenue where a car is police vehicle is parked outside two semi-detached houses, with a police van at the rear end of the cul-de-sac. Two officers are patrolling the small street.

Police have not said whether this activity is linked to the attack but many roads nearby have been blocked off. More police have also now arrived at the scene on blue lights.

Police said on Thursday it had deployed additional officers around synagogues and Jewish community sites in London.

London’s Metropolitan Police said there was no indication of an increased threat to the capital but had taken precautionary measures.

“While there is nothing to suggest an increased threat to London, we have deployed additional resources to the areas around synagogues, other Jewish community venues and in those boroughs with significant Jewish populations,” it said in a post on X.

A loud controlled explosion has just been heard at the police cordon in Crumpsall, BBC News has reported.

The bomb disposal unit are at the scene, with armed forces pictured operating a bomb disposal robot earlier today.

A woman who lives opposite the synagogue said she heard four loud noises at around 9.30am before the area was teeming with armed police, ambulances and fire engines.

Fran Barrie, 75, said:

At about half 9 I heard this big bang and that’s when it al happened. There was about four loud noises. It might have been the police shooting at the guy but about 15 minutes later there was armed police, fire engines, everything.

Barrie and her friend Joyce Goldstone, 78, said they were told by police they had to go to the back of their building because of their large glass windows at the front.

Shortly after, police returned and told them to evacuate but did not say why.

As they were led out of the cordon, they saw the army bomb disposal unit and a bomb disposal robot. Police later moved the cordon further back down the road.

“I’m shaken up,” said Goldstone. “We’ve never had any animosity here. Whenever there was riots all over the police there was nothing like that here. I was born Catholic and my husband is Jewish - we all have the same 10 commandments so we can’t we all get along”.

Barrie added:

You don’t do this in a civilised society and it’s not helping any cause.

In a statement, Mike Peake, chair of the Greater Manchester Police Federation, praised the bravery of officers.

He said:

First and foremost our thoughts are with the families of those who lost loved ones in the horrific events this morning and we wish well to those still injured.

The bravery of our colleagues involved in this incident - running towards extreme danger and dealing with an extreme threat - is to be commended.

We can rightly be proud of our emergency services today. They are the best of the best in the most tragic of circumstances.

Greater Manchester Police Federation are offering all colleagues involved our full support.

The British Muslim Trust, the government’s new Islamophobia monitoring partner, has condemned the Manchester synagogue attack as “utterly abhorrent” and said it stands with the Jewish community.

British Muslim Trust CEO Akeela Ahmed said:

The attack in Manchester this morning is shocking and utterly abhorrent, and to commit these acts on Yom Kippur is sickening. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life, and our thoughts and best wishes go to all those affected.

There is never, and can never be any place for this sort of despicable, cowardly violence in our society. The British Muslim Trust stands with all victims of hate, and in particular today with the Jewish community, the people of Manchester and the Community Security Trust.

We utterly condemn this disgraceful attack and offer our support to those left to pick up the pieces. Finally, in worrying times like these we ask Muslims and all communities to look out for each other and remain vigilant. We know there are some who will seek to exploit this violence to deepen the division they seek - we must not let them.

The leader of Manchester City Council has said Manchester “stands with our Jewish community at this darkest of moments”.

In a statement, councillor Bev Craig said:

We are all horrified by this shocking and reprehensible attack on members of Manchester’s Jewish community, on their holiest day.

Our thoughts are with those who have been killed and seriously injured, their loved ones and with everyone who has been affected by this awful incident.

We have been supporting our local community throughout the morning and offer our full support and love.

We will be working with Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and our local communities in the hours ahead to offer support and reassurance.

Manchester stands with our Jewish community at this darkest of moments and will come together as a city.

Yom Kippur, or the ‘Day of Atonement’, is the most sacred and solemn day in the Jewish calendar.

Many Jews attend the synagogue where they pray throughout the day. The day’s main observances consist of full fasting, asceticism and extended prayer services.

It is one of the two High Holy Days, or Days of Awe, alongside Rosh Hashanah, which falls nine days previously.

It is a day about people repenting, putting things right with God through prayer and sacrifice. Yom Kippur is a day to reflect on the past year and ask God’s forgiveness for any sins.

Prime minister Keir Starmer said of today’s attack: “The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific.”

NHS Greater Manchester is advising people to only attend accident and emergency (A&E) departments if it is “urgent or life-threatening”.

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Manchester said:

We are aware of the incident currently unfolding in Crumpsall and are actively supporting the multi-agency response led by Greater Manchester Police and other emergency services.

Our priority is to ensure the safety and care of patients and staff across the region, and we are working closely with partners to manage any impact on local hospitals and emergency departments.

We urge the public to only attend accident and emergency (A&E) departments if your condition is urgent or life-threatening. This will help us prioritise care for those most in need and ensure emergency teams can respond effectively to this incident.

If you are unsure about which service to use, please contact NHS 111 online or by phone for guidance.

Here are some more pictures from the scene this morning:

Afzal Khan, Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme, said on X:

Horrifying news out of Crumpsall this morning following a major incident. I want to thank the police for swift action.

Praying for the whole community on this holy day.

Violence is never the answer and Manchester must stand together against these actions.

A number of hospitals in Greater Manchester were placed in “lockdown” following the incident at the synagogue in Crumpsall, it has been reported.

An internal note shared by the Northern Care Alliance (NCA) NHS Foundation Trust and seen by the Manchester Evening News (MEN) said all of its sites “have been asked to immediately lock down” following the declaration of a major incident.

“We have been informed that emergency services are at the scene of an incident within Manchester. We will share further details as these become available,” the note added.

NCA hospitals include Salford Royal, Fairfield General, Rochdale Infirmary and the Royal Oldham.

However, the MEN reported at 12.40pm that the lockdown has since been lifted.

Images are now starting to emerge of members of north Manchester’s Jewish community gathering outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Middleton Road, Crumpsall.

Rabbi Jonathan Romain, emeritus rabbi of Maidenhead Synagogue, told the PA news agency he felt “appalled” by the attack in Manchester.

He said:

This is every Rabbi’s or every Jewish person’s worst nightmare.

Not only is this a sacred day, the most sacred in the Jewish calendar, but it’s also a time of mass gathering, and the time when the Jewish community, however religious or irreligious, gathers together.

He said it appears tensions over the war in Gaza had “spilled over” to the UK, despite efforts to stop that happening.

He told PA:

The real tragedy is, of course that the war in Gaza, which is tragic in itself, has sort of spilled over into the United Kingdom.

For the last two years, we were desperately trying to make sure that whatever was going on in the Middle East was not imported here. This has shown that our worst fears have been realised.

This will obviously heighten the fears that many Jews have had, that political violence would spill over into religious hatred.

Counter-terror police are searching houses on White House Avenue, near to the synagogue in Crumpsall, the Manchester Evening News (MEN) has reported.

Meanwhile, witnesses are said to have seen a car driving erratically before a man got out and started attacking people with a knife. When it became clear what was happening, members of the congregation are said to have blockaded the doors to the synagogue.

Members of the community are handing out blankets to a number of people who rushed to the scene when they heard what was happening. As more details have emerged, many said they are too upset to speak.

Chava Lewin – who describes herself as a religious Jew and lives next door to the synagogue – told the MEN:

I was outside and heard a banging sound and I thought it might be a firework. My husband went outside and then ran back inside and said, ‘there’s been a terrorist attack.’

I spoke to someone who said she was driving and saw a car driving erratically and it crashed into the gates [of the synagogue].

She thought maybe he had a heart attack. The second he got out of the car he started stabbing anyone near him. He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue. He was in the courtyard.

Someone barricaded the door. Everyone is in utter shock.

Here is a photo of the bomb disposal robot arriving at the scene, as members of the armed forces seek to establish whether the attacker has a “viable” device on their person.

Police have issued a statement aimed at reassuring Greater Manchester’s Jewish community, while urging people not to share images or videos on social media.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said:

We know today’s horrifying attack, on the Jewish community’s holiest day, will have caused significant shock and fear throughout all of our communities.

We are grateful to the member of the public whose quick response to what they witnessed allowed our swift action, and as a result the offender was prevented from entering the synagogue.

We remain in direct contact with all synagogues across Greater Manchester to provide reassurance and this will continue for as long as needed.

We will continue to provide updates as we can, but I would ask anyone who believes they may have a loved one involved in today’s incident, please use the Casualty Bureau information in the first instance.

I would further ask anyone who may have images or footage relating to today’s incident, refrains from circulating them on social media – please do share directly with GMP through www.ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk.”

The body of the suspect remains at the scene as police try and establish whether he was wearing a viable explosive device, it is understood.

While officers believe the attack was executed alone - using a car, knife or machete, and potentially a bomb - one line of inquiry will explore whether the suspect was helped in the planning.

The attack, taking place at Yom Kippur and timed as members of the community were on their way in to morning worship, does not appear to be random to investigators.

The heightened sense of threat in the area, approaching the 7 October anniversary, and the close collaboration between the community, security organisations and the police, meant firearms officers were on the scene within minutes.

The Israeli embassy condemned the incident in Greater Manchester, describing it as “abhorrent and deeply distressing”.

A statement released by the embassy said:

The embassy of Israel in the United Kingdom condemn the attack carried out today on Yom Kippur at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester.

That such an act of violence should be perpetrated on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, in a place of prayer and community, is abhorrent and deeply distressing.

The embassy is in close contact with Manchester Jewish community, British authorities and the Community Security Trust (CST) to monitor developments, and ensure that the necessary support is provided.

We thank the Greater Manchester Police for their swift response. The safety and security of Jewish communities in the United Kingdom must be guaranteed.

The thoughts and prayers of the people of Israel are with the victims, their families and the entire Jewish community at this difficult time.

King Charles said he and the Queen were “deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community”.

He said:

My wife and I have been deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services.

Police also confirmed that a large number of people worshipping at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue at the time of the incident were held inside “while the immediate area was made safe but have since been evacuated”.

The attacker did not make it inside the building.

Members of the Jewish community at one end of the police cordon were suddenly moved back without explanation around half an hour ago, as speculation spread locally that the attacker was wearing a suspected explosive device.

That detail has now been confirmed by Greater Manchester Police, which has said the bomb disposal unit are assessing a contraption on the attacker, who is believed to be dead and is still at the scene.

The nature of the target and attack led to increases in security away from Manchester.

In London, home to a significant part of Britain’s Jewish community, the Metropolitan police has increased patrols around Jewish religious and cultural sites, a source said, as a precaution.

A number of armed officers that appear to be counter-terror police have been seen walking towards the synagogue.

Although the immediate response to the incident appears to be over, it remains an active emergency scene with a lot of activity.

MP for Blackley and Middleton South Graham Stringer said “we have to make sure these evil people do not damage our community” after the incident at a synagogue in his constituency.

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, Stringer said:

The area … is a very large Jewish community next to a very large Muslim community, and by and large community relations are excellent between all the different ethnic groups and religious groups, but there are always extreme people who want to damage those relationships and want to, in this case, damage Jews and the Jewish community.

He reflected on the aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 and said:

Everybody got together because it’s not enough just to say we’re tolerant and we want better relations.

We have to work at it and we have to make sure these evil people do not damage our community, which is comprised of many different kinds of religious beliefs and ethnic backgrounds.

Stringer added:

The relationships between the Jewish community and the Greater Manchester Police are very good and they work at it. But the sad thing is, if you’ve got an evil, violent person with a car and a knife, it is very difficult to ensure that everybody is secure in that situation.

Here is a graphic, which shows the location of this morning’s attack:

Armed police officers wearing face coverings have just driven out of the police cordon on blue lights.

A police helicopter remains overhead, while two other blue unmarked helicopters have just landed behind the synagogue.

Every synagogue in Greater Manchester has boosted security and several Greater Manchester hospitals - Salford Royal Hospital, Fairfield General and the Royal Oldham Hospital - have gone into lockdown, following reports that the suspect was carrying a bomb.

However members of the local Jewish community have continued to gather at the scene.

The shadow home secretary Chris Philp said he was “appalled” by the attack.

In a statement, the Conservative shadow minister said:

This is a sickening attack on people at a synagogue on Middleton Road in Manchester - on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the whole Jewish community here in the UK.

I know everyone will want to support the emergency services in their work.

I am appalled not only by this brutal attack, but also by the evil that lies behind it.

Kemi Badenoch has described the incident in Greater Manchester as a “vile and disgusting attack”.

The Conservative leader told BBC Radio Bristol:

It does look like an outrageous attack on the Jewish community on their holiest day, Yom Kippur.

I think it is a vile and disgusting attack. I know that many Jewish people in our country feel that they’re no longer safe and my heart goes out to the people who have been hurt by this, and everyone who’s been affected.

She added:

I want to say to Jewish people all around our country that you belong here. Britain is a country which will look after you.

We need to make sure that the rise in antisemitism that we’re seeing in our country is quelled completely.

The reported stabbings come as members of the Jewish community observe Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar and is a time when synagogues are usually particularly busy.

Dave Rich, of the Community Security Trust (CST) - a charity that monitors antisemitism in the UK, said the day is similar to Christmas Day for Christians, but is a day of solemnity and fasting rather than celebration.

He said:

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year.

It’s a very solemn day and synagogues across the country will be full throughout the day.

There’s always a significant security operation in place between police and CST across the Jewish community on all major Jewish festivals.

Here are some more pictures coming out of the scene in Crumpsall, north Manchester, this morning:

A bomb disposal unit is at the scene and it is understood that hospitals in the area have heightened security measures.

Meanwhile, two air ambulances have just left the scene behind the synagogue.

Many distressed relatives and friends of those inside the building are gathering at the police cordon, anxious for news about those injured.

In a statement posted on X, home secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “horrified” by the incident and is being updated by police.

She said:

I am horrified by the news of an attack at a synagogue in Manchester today, on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

My first thoughts are with the victims, our brave police and emergency services.

I am being kept updated by Greater Manchester Police. I urge people to follow the advice of the emergency services.

A woman who lives nearby said she has family and friends and the synagogue and rushed out as soon as she heard the police helicopter.

“I’m absolutely distraught,” said Olivia Gold, 57. “It’s Jewish new year as well and this is the holiest day in the calendar - maybe that’s why [the attack happened]. It would’ve been very busy, mainly with the men doing the service. It’s a big shul.”

She added:

This will be devastating for a long time. I just wish they would leave us alone. We’re a quiet community. It’s just horrendous. We don’t harm anybody, we don’t force our views on anybody.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said one victim appeared to be a security guard who had been attacked with a knife.

He said: “It would seem that some of the security used by our colleagues in the Jewish community has really played a role here in preventing it being a worse situation.”

The area around the synagogue in Crumpsall, north of Manchester, has been swamped by dozens of police vehicles, along with fire and ambulance crews, while the force helicopter hovers overhead.

Streets surrounding the synagogue has been cordoned off with more police cars and vans, sirens blaring, racing down neighbouring roads, PA reports.

Police officers dressed in black combat fatigues and carrying machine guns could also be seen inside the cordon outside the synagogue.

A Jewish man, among a group of shocked onlookers at the cordon, said his wife and daughter and other members of the congregation were still inside the synagogue.

A number of black, unmarked police 4x4 vehicles and vans carrying plain clothes officers with face coverings were seen leaving the area of the incident at speed.

A Jewish man said:

It is the holiest day of the year and we get this.

There is no place for Jews in Britain anymore. It’s over.

Video shared on social media appeared to show police officers pointing guns at someone laying on the ground outside the front of the synagogue.

The armed officers shouted at onlookers to “get back” and “move on”.

The person on the ground is seen starting to get up before there is the sound of a gunshot and they fall to the ground, PA reports.

Another person was shown lying motionless on the ground outside the synagogue gates with blood near their head.

The attack was branded an “appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year” by the Community Security Trust (CST).

The organisation, which monitors antisemitism in the UK, said:

CST is working with police and the local Jewish community following a serious incident at a synagogue in north Manchester.

This appears to be an appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year.

We thank the GMP officers and synagogue security who responded immediately to deal with the incident.

A woman whose husband was inside the synagogue said she was “sick” with worry as they have been unable to make contact with him since the attack, which happened shortly after 9.30am.

“I’m sick,” she said at the police cordon where there was a huge number of emergency service personnel and a police helicopter overhead.

“We’re just waiting for news. I’ve not even got dressed yet, I just ran out in my pyjamas.”

The woman, who did not want to be identified, went to the synagogue at about 9.15am to celebrate Yom Kippur, the “holiest day of the year” for Jewish people, she said.

Her son, who also did not want to be named, said: “We don’t know anything. There’s rumours of a car ramming, a stabbing and a gunshot. It’s terrifying. We’re distraught.”

At least two ambulances were at the scene along with two fire engines and a large number of police vehicles, including several unmarked, while a police helicopter flew overhead.

Members of the Jewish community security trust were manning the police cordon.

Here are some of the first images we are seeing come through from what has been declared a “major incident” in Crumpsall, north Manchester: