Three people have died, including a suspect, after an attack at a Manchester synagogue.
The incident took place at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Middleton Road, Crumpsall this morning.
Greater Manchester Police has declared a major incident and said it had “declared Plato” – the national code-word used by police and emergency services when responding to a “marauding terror attack”.
The force said in a statement: "Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 9.31am by a member of the public, stating he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public, and a man had been stabbed."
Police confirmed four people have been injured
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It added that shots were fired by firearm officers at 9.38am and one man, believed to be the offender, had been shot.
"Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41am and are tending to members of the public, currently four members of the public with injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds," police continued.
"Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while the police continue to deal with the incident."
A witness told GB News the suspect appeared to be wearing a "vest with wires".
A white lorry marked "Bomb Disposal" has arrived at the scene and gone behind the cordon outside the synagogue.
GB News is hearing reports that an SAS helicopter has been sent to the scene.
North West Ambulance Service said in a statement: “Following reports of an incident on Middleton Road in Crumpsall, the trust has dispatched resources to the scene.
Members of the public have been urged to avoid the area
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A white lorry marked 'bomb disposal' has been spotted at the scene
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“We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services.
“Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”
GB News understands some hospitals in the area have been put on lockdown following the incident, including the Salford Royal, Fairfield General Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary and Royal Oldham Hospital.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has said the “immediate danger appears to be over”.
Andy Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester: “It is a serious incident.
Police confirmed a man, believed to be the offender, was shot by firearm officers
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Police were called to the scene just after 9.30am today
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“I can give some reassurance immediately to people that the immediate danger appears to be over and Greater Manchester Police have dealt with it very quickly.”
Speaking to GB News, a witness said he was "very shaken up" by what he had seen and described a "significant" emergency service presence on the scene.
The incident comes 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.
The attack took place at a synagogue on Middleton Road in Crumpshall, Manchester
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Sir Keir Starmer wrote in a statement to X: "I'm appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall.
"The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific.
"My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services and all the first responders."
It has been confirmed that the Prime minister has left Denmark early, where he was attending a meeting of European leaders, to return to the UK to oversee the response to the synagogue attack.
Speaking before he flew back from Copenhagen to chair an emergency Cobra meeting on the incident, Sir Keir said: “The attack in Manchester this morning is absolutely shocking, and all of our thoughts are with those affected.
“I am on my way back to London. When I arrive, I will chair an emergency Cobra meeting. I’m already able to say that additional police assets are being deployed to synagogues across the country, and we will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe.
“I’ve spoken to Mark Gardner of the CST [Community Security Trust], and Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester.
“I want to thank the emergency services for the speed of their response.”
The incident took place on Yom Kippur which is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar
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In a statement posted on X, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood 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 Jewish man speaking at the scene 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.”
A rabbi described the attack as “every Jewish person’s worst nightmare”.
Rabbi Jonathan Romain, emeritus rabbi of Maidenhead Synagogue and current head of the Rabbinic Court of Great Britain, said he felt “appalled” by what had happened.
“This is every Rabbi’s or every Jewish person’s worst nightmare," he told PA news agency.
“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 added: “This will obviously heighten the fears that many Jews have had, that political violence would spill over into religious hatred.”
Dave Rich of the CST, a charity that monitors antisemitism in the UK, 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.”
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