Two dead in Manchester synagogue terror attack as public urged to remain vigilant - Extra police deployed across UK

WATCH: Sir Keir Starmer addresses the nation after Manchester synagogue attack

|

GB NEWS

Isabelle Parkin

By Isabelle ParkinGeorge Bunn


Published: 02/10/2025

- 10:30

Updated: 02/10/2025

- 18:20

The attacker has also been shot dead by police bringing the total number of fatalities to three

Two people have died after a terror attack at a Manchester synagogue.

The suspected offender has also been killed, after being shot by firearms officers following the incident at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Middleton Road, Crumpsall this morning.


Officers were called to the synagogue just after 9.30am by a member of the public who claimed to have witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public, saying a man had been stabbed.

Head of UK Counter Terrorism confirmed two people have now been arrested nearby.

Four people were initially treated by paramedics for both vehicle and stab wounds. A man, suspected to be the offender, was shot by firearm officers shortly before 9.40am.

The force earlier 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."

A picture has emerged of a man suspected of being the attacker

|

GB NEWS

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor told a press conference: "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.

"We're deploying all of our capabilities in response to what has happened. And we have resources from across our network involved."

A street around a quarter of a mile down the road from the synagogue had been the focus of intense police activity this afternoon. Armed police stood guard outside of blue police tape at the cordon on White House Avenue in Crumpsall.

A number of police vehicles were parked further down the avenue, but the exact property they are attending could not be made out from the cordon.

GB News understands two controlled explosions were carried out nearby. The SAS Blue Thunder helicopter had been spotted in the skies.

A police spokesman said: "In response to today’s major incident in Crumpsall, a loud noise was heard at the scene as specialist resources gained entry to the suspect’s vehicle as a precaution.

"We can confirm three people have died, including the offender, who was shot by GMP Firearms officers."

\u200bHead of Counter Terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor confirmed the attack was being treated as a terrorist incident

|

GB NEWS

Police confirmed four people have been injured

|

PA

Police have confirmed three people - including the suspect - have died following the incident

|

PA

The chief constable of Greater Manchester Police has thanked security staff and worshippers at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue for their bravery.

Reading a statement to a press conference, Sir Stephen Watson said: "There were a large number of worshipers attending the synagogue at the time of this attack, but thanks to the immediate bravery of security staff and the worshippers inside, as well as the fast response of the police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access.

"All those inside were safely contained until police were able to confirm that it was safe to leave the premises.

"Yom Kippur is a day where we see our Jewish community attending their places of worship, places where they and their families should feel entirely safe from harm."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

Police earlier declared a 'major incident'

|

REUTERS

One witness told the People's Channel 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.

Greater Manchester Police has now confirmed the device the suspect was wearing was not viable.

A spokesman from North West Ambulance Service said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of life as a result of the horrific incident on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, this morning, and our condolences go out to all the victims, their families, and the broader Jewish Community across the North West.

"Our crews assessed and treated patients at the scene and took four patients to local hospitals. We can confirm that ambulances remain on scene to support the incident response.

We would like to thank our frontline colleagues and emergency responders for their professionalism and dedication in such challenging circumstances.

"While there has been no impact on the ability to provide emergency care to the wider community as a result of this incident, we would like to remind people only to call 999 in an emergency. NHS 111 online is available for non-urgent health advice."

The SAS helicopter has been spotted in the skies above the scene in Crumpsall, Manchester

|

PA

Members of the public have been urged to avoid the area

|

PA

It is understood 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. People are being urged to only attend A&E across Greater Manchester if their condition is life-threatening.

A statement issued by Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership, which represents NHS and care organisations in the area, said: "We urge the public to only attend accident & 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 have an appointment, please attend as planned unless you are contacted."

Police confirmed a man, believed to be the offender, was shot by firearm officers

|

PA

Police were called to the scene just after 9.30am today

|

PA

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

|

GB NEWS

Sir Keir Starmer told an address to the nation: "To every Jewish person in this country, I also wanted to say this. I know how much fear you will be holding inside of you. I really do. And so on behalf of our country, I express my solidarity, but also my sadness, that you still have to live with these fears.

"Nobody should have to do that. Nobody. And so I promise you that I will do everything in my power to guarantee you, the security that you deserve. Starting with a more visible police presence, protecting your community. I promise you that over the coming days, you will see the other Britain, the Britain of compassion, of decency, of love.

"And I promise you that this Britain will come together to wrap our arms around your community and show you that Britain is a place where you and your family are safe, secure, and belong."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will join the Cobra meeting led by Sir Keir Starmer in response to the attack in Crumpsall remotely from Greater Manchester, it is understood.

Ms Mahmood travelled to Greater Manchester Police headquarters on Thursday afternoon for an operational update and to show her support to officers.

She has also spoken with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, as well as with Jewish community leaders, including Marc Levy of the Jewish Leadership Council and Mark Gardner, CST chief executive, to offer any support needed.

Keir Starmer

Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has flown back from Denmark to chair an emergency COBRA meeting following the attack on the synagogue

|
PA

A white lorry marked 'bomb disposal' has been spotted at the scene

|

PA

"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."

In a statement, King Charles 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."

\u200bBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives to attend an emergency Cobra meeting

Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives to attend an emergency Cobra meeting at Downing Street

|

REUTERS

Shabana Mahmood said she was "horrified" by news of the attack.

“My first thoughts are with the victims, our brave police and emergency services," the Home Secretary wrote to X.

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

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham described it as a "vile attack".

In a post to X, he said: "We condemn whoever is responsible and will do everything within our power to keep people safe.

"We stand with [Greater Manchester's] Jewish community at this time and will work through the day to support them."

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.”

The incident took place on Yom Kippur which is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar

|

PA

Police have said three people remain in a serious condition

|

PA

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 said.

"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."

The Israeli Embassy has condemned the attack. It said: "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 embassy added that its "thoughts and prayers" are with the victims and the "entire Jewish community".

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."

More From GB News