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Police shoot suspect dead as at least two people killed in Manchester synagogue attack Police shoot suspect dead as at least two people killed in Manchester synagogue attack
(30 minutes later)
Police confirm suspect is dead after car and knife attack that left three more people in serious condition Police confirm suspect was killed after car and knife attack that left three more people in serious condition
Manchester synagogue stabbing – latest updatesManchester synagogue stabbing – latest updates
Two people have died and three remain in a serious condition after a suspected terrorist attack outside a synagogue by a man shot dead by officers, Greater Manchester police (GMP) have said. Two people have died and three are in a serious condition after a suspected terrorist attack outside a synagogue by a man who was shot dead by officers, Greater Manchester police (GMP) have 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 in Crumpsall on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.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 in Crumpsall on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
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 declared Plato – the national codeword used by police and emergency services when responding to a “marauding terror attack” – at 9.37am. Bomb disposal crews arrived at the scene and military personnel in fatigues could be seen unloading equipment from the back of a vehicle a short distance from the synagogue.
Bomb disposal crews later arrived at the scene and military personnel in fatigues could be seen unloading equipment from the back of a vehicle a short distance from the synagogue. Keir Starmer was flying back to the UK early from a meeting of European leaders in Denmark in order to chair an emergency Cobra meeting after the incident.
Keir Starmer was flying back early to the UK from a meeting of European leaders in Denmark in order to chair an emergency Cobra meeting after the incident.
Witnesses were said to have seen a car driving erratically before a man got out and started attacking people with a knife. When it became clear what was happening, members of the congregation are said to have blockaded the doors to the synagogue.Witnesses were said to have seen a car driving erratically before a man got out and started attacking people with a knife. When it became clear what was happening, members of the congregation are said to have blockaded the doors to the synagogue.
In a statement, GMP said officers were called to the synagogue, on Middleton Road, at 9.31am by a person who said he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public and that one man had been stabbed. GMP said officers were called to the synagogue on Middleton Road at 9.31am by a person who said he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public and that 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 force 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.”
The police later confirmed the suspect had been killed. The police later confirmed the suspect had been killed. The body of the suspect remained at the scene as police tried to establish whether he was wearing a viable explosive device, it is understood.
“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,” the force posted on X.
The body of the suspect remains at the scene as police try to establish whether he was wearing a viable explosive device, it is understood.
Earlier, the force had said it could not yet confirm his death.
“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,” it said in a statement.
Video shared on social media appeared to show police officers pointing guns at someone lying on the ground outside the front of the synagogue. Members of the public could be heard shouting to firearms officers that the suspect had a bomb strapped to him.Video shared on social media appeared to show police officers pointing guns at someone lying on the ground outside the front of the synagogue. Members of the public could be heard shouting to firearms officers that the suspect had a bomb strapped to him.
At least two ambulances were at the scene along with two fire engines and a large number of police vehicles, including several unmarked ones, 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 ones, while a police helicopter flew overhead. Members of the Jewish Community Security Trust (CST) were manning the police cordon.
Two air ambulances left the scene as distressed relatives and friends of those inside the building gathered at the cordon. A woman whose husband was inside the synagogue said she was “sick” with worry as she had been unable to contact him since the attack. Two air ambulances left the scene as distressed relatives and friends of those inside the building gathered at the cordon. A woman whose husband was inside the synagogue said she was sick with worry as she had been unable to contact him since the attack.
“We’re just waiting for news,” said the woman, who did not want to be identified. “I’ve not even got dressed yet, I just ran out in my pyjamas.”“We’re just waiting for news,” said the woman, who did not want to be identified. “I’ve not even got dressed yet, I just ran out in my pyjamas.”
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 woman, 57, who lives nearby said she had family and friends who attended the synagogue and rushed out as soon as she heard the police helicopter. A woman who lives nearby said she had family and friends who attended the synagogue and she had 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 [synagogue].” Olivia Gold said: “I’m absolutely distraught. 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 [synagogue].”
A delivery driver called Gareth, who told BBC Radio Manchester he witnessed the incident, said a man was “stabbing the window” and “trying to get into” the synagogue. “We got a bit closer. We seen a guy bleeding out on the floor. He was just basically unconscious on the floor, presumed, obviously, dead,” he said.A delivery driver called Gareth, who told BBC Radio Manchester he witnessed the incident, said a man was “stabbing the window” and “trying to get into” the synagogue. “We got a bit closer. We seen a guy bleeding out on the floor. He was just basically unconscious on the floor, presumed, obviously, dead,” he said.
The CST described the incident as an “appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year”. The CST, 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.”
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.” Starmer said he was appalled by the attack. “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.
He said “additional police assets” would be deployed at synagogues across the country, adding: “We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe.” He said “additional police assets” would be deployed at synagogues across the country. “We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe,” Starmer said.
A GMP spokesperson 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.A GMP spokesperson 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.”“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.”
A statement from the North West ambulance service said: “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.” It is understood that the north-west counter-terrorism unit and MI5 are part of the investigation. One source said: “It is everyone’s working assumption that this is terrorism.”
Greater Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham, said the “immediate danger appears to be over”. The UK’s terrorism threat level is being reviewed in the aftermath of the attack. The current threat level is “substantial”, the third highest of five levels.
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.”
The UK’s terrorism threat level is being reviewed in the aftermath of the attack. The current threat level is substantial, the third highest of five levels.