Manchester United and Manchester City have released statements after an attack on a synagogue in north Manchester has left two members of the public dead, Greater Manchester Police have confirmed.
The suspected offender was also killed after being shot by armed officers at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Middleton Road, Crumpsall this morning.
Officers had been called to the synagogue just after 9.30am by a member of the public said they had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public and a man being stabbed.
The Head of UK Counter Terrorism has confirmed that two arrests have been made in the nearby area.
In the wake of such a devastating attack, both Manchester clubs took to social media to send their wishes to all affected.
“We are shocked and saddened by the tragic events which took place in Manchester this morning, and we are sending our support and condolences to all those affected during this difficult time,” Manchester City’s official X account wrote.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed three people had died including the offender
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Meanwhile, Manchester United said: “The thoughts of everyone at Manchester United are with the victims of today’s tragic events in north Manchester and we offer our support to all those affected.”
The incident occurred just four miles away from the Etihad Stadium, home to Manchester City, and five miles from Manchester United’s Old Trafford.
A street a quarter of a mile down the road from the synagogue had been the focus of intense police activity this afternoon.
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The attack took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
After the incident, 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.
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We are shocked and saddened by the tragic events which took place in Manchester this morning, and we are sending our support and condolences to all those affected during this difficult time.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 2, 2025
"We're deploying all of our capabilities in response to what has happened. And we have resources from across our network involved."
GB News understands two controlled explosions were carried out nearby, while a street a quarter of a mile down the road from the synagogue had been the focus of intense police activity this afternoon.
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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."
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The thoughts of everyone at Manchester United are with the victims of today’s tragic events in north Manchester and we offer our support to all those affected.#ACityUnited
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 2, 2025
The chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, Sir Stephen Watson, thanked security staff, worshippers and the police at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue for their bravery.
In a statement to a press conference, he 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."