Hero rabbi stopped attacker from getting inside Manchester synagogue by barricading doors

He blocked the entrance of the "packed" building, protecting those inside, as the incident unfolded on the outside.

Dramatic pictures showed the attacker, who police say had been "armed with a bomb", attempting to smash his way into the synagogue before being shot.

Chava Lewin, who was in the synagogue, told The Daily Mail: "My friend saw him crash the car near the synagogue.

"At first, she thought he'd had a heart attack. Then he got out and started stabbing everyone he could get to.

"Rabbi Walker was incredibly calm, he shut the doors to the synagogue to stop him getting inside.

"He barricaded everyone inside. He is a hero, this could have been even worse."

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The attacker was shot dead at the scene.

Rabbi Walker was seen outside in his white kittel - the traditional robes worn by Jewish religious leaders - shortly after the scene.

Chava Lewin continued: "Some of the congregation were inside at the time, but others were still arriving.

"We saw someone being resuscitated in the courtyard. It's so scary, we just don't feel safe now.

"To think someone would choose today of all days to attack us is horrifying."

Rabbi Walker serves as the co-chair of the community and interfaith committees of the JRC.

He has been the Rabbi of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation since 2008.

Sir Keir Starmer is flying home to chair a Cobra meeting, saying he was "appalled" by today's incidents.

The Prime Minister continued: "The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific."

Three people are confirmed to have died in the incident today, with three others in a serious condition.

A police spokesman 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."