Residents in Manchester have spoken out following the deadly attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, delivering a stark message to the Prime Minister.
One local told GB News they felt “very, very nervous” and vulnerable, particularly given the city’s Jewish schools and synagogues, describing the area as a “big Jewish community.”
Another said: “I don’t understand why this has happened. We just want to live and let live.”
A third resident, who has experienced conflict zones, recalled the chaos during the attack: “When I heard the shots, I immediately knew what it was.
One Manchester local delivered a direct message to the Prime Minister
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“A couple of minutes later came the sirens and helicopters, and police wouldn’t even let us leave our flat.
“Later, they evacuated us. As I walked down the road, I saw Rabbi Walker. It’s a day of prayer, and he wears a long white robe. There was blood on the bottom of it.”
He added: “The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said he would send more armed police to the synagogue. But I’m saying straight to him: we don’t need more armed police.
“What we need are projects of dialogue, where people can understand each other’s faiths from different backgrounds and perspectives.”
This morning, an assailant carried out a stabbing during Yom Kippur, killing two people and leaving several others seriously injured.
Police nationwide are stepping up patrols at synagogues and Jewish sites, while the public is urged to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious.
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The Prime Minister described himself as “appalled” by the violence.
“The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific,” Sir Keir Starmer stated, extending his thoughts to those affected and thanking emergency responders.
Greater Manchester's Mayor Andy Burnham moved quickly to reassure residents whilst advising them to avoid the area.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, Mr Burnham confirmed that whilst the situation constituted a serious incident, the immediate threat had been neutralised through swift police action.
He praised both members of the public and security personnel at the location for their response, whilst promising to provide further factual updates as the situation developed.
Lawrence Taylor, Head of counter-terrorism policing in the UK, told reporters: “This morning an appalling attack took place in Crumpsall in Manchester.
“Two people have died. The attacker has been shot dead by the police. We believe we know their identity but for safety reasons at the scene, we are unable to confirm.
“At this stage, three other members of the public are in a serious condition. We have also made two further arrests and based on what we know.
Some people said that they are 'very nervous' to be living in Manchester
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“Counter-Terrorism policing has declared this as a terrorist incident. Our specialist teams are now leading the investigation into what happened at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue and working closely with Greater Manchester Police.
“As we do this, those who have been killed and injured were the forefront of our minds as of their families, friends and all of those who love them.
“An attack on our Jewish community today on Yom Kippur is devastating. Communities across the UK would normally be marking this holy day and now grieving and worried about their safety.
“I want to be clear. UK policing is mobilising and it is mobilising fast. Police forces are stepping up patrols across the country, at synagogues and Jewish sites, and more widely to provide reassurance to all those communities who have been affected by this incident.”
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