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| Police shoot suspect as at least two people killed in car and knife attack at Manchester synagogue | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Suspect also thought to be dead after suspected terror attack that left three more people in serious condition | |
| Manchester synagogue stabbing – latest updates | Manchester synagogue stabbing – latest updates |
| Two people have died and three remain in a serious condition after a suspected terror attack outside a synagogue in Crumpsall by a man believed to have been shot dead by police, Greater Manchester police said. | |
| Police shot the suspect after one person was stabbed and a car was driven at members of the public at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue. | |
| The force said it had “declared Plato” – the national codeword used by police and emergency services when responding to a “marauding terror attack” – at 9.37am. | The force said it had “declared Plato” – the national codeword used by police and emergency services when responding to a “marauding terror attack” – at 9.37am. |
| A bomb disposal unit later arrived at the scene. | A bomb disposal unit later arrived at the scene. |
| Keir Starmer is to fly home early from a meeting of European leaders in Denmark in order to chair an emergency Cobra meeting after the incident. | Keir Starmer is to fly home early from a meeting of European leaders in Denmark in order to chair an emergency Cobra meeting after the incident. |
| In a statement, Greater Manchester police (GMP) said officers were called to the synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 9.31am by a member of the public who said he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public and one man had been stabbed. | In a statement, Greater Manchester police (GMP) said officers were called to the synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 9.31am by a member of the public who said he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public and one man had been stabbed. |
| The statement said: “Firearms officers were deployed at 9.34am as police continued to receive further reports from members of the public that a security guard had been attacked with a knife. GMP declared Plato and a major incident at 9.37am. | The statement said: “Firearms officers were deployed at 9.34am as police continued to receive further reports from members of the public that a security guard had been attacked with a knife. GMP declared Plato and a major incident at 9.37am. |
| “Shots were fired by Greater Manchester police firearms officers at 9.38am. One man has been shot, believed to be the offender. | “Shots were fired by Greater Manchester police firearms officers at 9.38am. One man has been shot, believed to be the offender. |
| “Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41 and are tending to members of the public, currently four members of the public with injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds. | “Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41 and are tending to members of the public, currently four members of the public with injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds. |
| “Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while the police continue to deal with the incident.” | “Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while the police continue to deal with the incident.” |
| In an updated statement on X, the force said it could not yet confirm the death of the suspect. | |
| “A third person, a man believed to be the offender, was shot by GMP firearms officers and is also believed to be deceased. It cannot currently be confirmed due to safety issues surround suspicious items on his person. The bomb disposal unit has been called and is now at the scene. | |
| “Three other members of the public remain in a serious condition. A large number of people worshipping at the synagogue at the time of the incident, were held inside while the immediate area was made safe but have since been evacuated.” | |
| Video shared on social media appeared to show police officers pointing guns at someone lying on the ground outside the front of the synagogue. | Video shared on social media appeared to show police officers pointing guns at someone lying on the ground outside the front of the synagogue. |
| At least two ambulances were at the scene along with two fire engines and a large number of police vehicles, including several unmarked, while a police helicopter flew overhead. Members of the Jewish Community Security Trust (CST) were manning the police cordon. | At least two ambulances were at the scene along with two fire engines and a large number of police vehicles, including several unmarked, while a police helicopter flew overhead. Members of the Jewish Community Security Trust (CST) were manning the police cordon. |
| A woman whose husband was inside the synagogue said she was “sick” with worry as she had been unable to make contact with him since the attack. | A woman whose husband was inside the synagogue said she was “sick” with worry as she had been unable to make contact with him since the attack. |
| “We’re just waiting for news,” she said at the police cordon with a police helicopter hovering overhead. “I’ve not even got dressed yet, I just ran out in my pyjamas.” | “We’re just waiting for news,” she said at the police cordon with a police helicopter hovering overhead. “I’ve not even got dressed yet, I just ran out in my pyjamas.” |
| The woman, who did not want to be identified, went to the synagogue at about 9.15am to mark Yom Kippur, the “holiest day of the year” for Jewish people, she said. | The woman, who did not want to be identified, went to the synagogue at about 9.15am to mark Yom Kippur, the “holiest day of the year” for Jewish people, she said. |
| Her son, who also did not want to be named, said: “We don’t know anything. There’s rumours of a car ramming, a stabbing and a gunshot. It’s terrifying. We’re distraught.” | Her son, who also did not want to be named, said: “We don’t know anything. There’s rumours of a car ramming, a stabbing and a gunshot. It’s terrifying. We’re distraught.” |
| A 57-year-old woman who lives nearby said she has family and friends at the synagogue and rushed out as soon as she heard the police helicopter. | A 57-year-old woman who lives nearby said she has family and friends at the synagogue and rushed out as soon as she heard the police helicopter. |
| “I’m absolutely distraught,” said Olivia Gold. “It’s Jewish new year as well and this is the holiest day in the calendar … It would’ve been very busy, mainly with the men doing the service. It’s a big shul.” | “I’m absolutely distraught,” said Olivia Gold. “It’s Jewish new year as well and this is the holiest day in the calendar … It would’ve been very busy, mainly with the men doing the service. It’s a big shul.” |
| The incident was described as an “appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year” by the CST. | The incident was described as an “appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year” by the CST. |
| The organisation, which monitors antisemitism in the UK, said: “CST is working with police and the local Jewish community following a serious incident at a synagogue in north Manchester. | The organisation, which monitors antisemitism in the UK, said: “CST is working with police and the local Jewish community following a serious incident at a synagogue in north Manchester. |
| “This appears to be an appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year. We thank the GMP officers and synagogue security who responded immediately to deal with the incident.” | “This appears to be an appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year. We thank the GMP officers and synagogue security who responded immediately to deal with the incident.” |
| Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” at the attack, adding: “The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific.” | Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” at the attack, adding: “The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific.” |
| He said “additional police assets” will be deployed at synagogues across the country, adding: “We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe.” | He said “additional police assets” will be deployed at synagogues across the country, adding: “We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe.” |
| A statement from North West ambulance service said: “Following reports of an incident on Middleton Road in Crumpsall, the trust has dispatched resources to the scene. | A statement from North West ambulance service said: “Following reports of an incident on Middleton Road in Crumpsall, the trust has dispatched resources to the scene. |
| “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.” | “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.” |
| Greater Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham, said the “immediate danger appears to be over” after reports of a “serious incident”. | Greater Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham, said the “immediate danger appears to be over” after reports of a “serious incident”. |
| It is understood that the north-west counter-terrorism unit and MI5 are part of the investigation. | It is understood that the north-west counter-terrorism unit and MI5 are part of the investigation. |
| One source added: “It is everyone’s working assumption that this is terrorism.” | One source added: “It is everyone’s working assumption that this is terrorism.” |