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Manchester synagogue attack: What we know so far Manchester synagogue attack: What we know so far
(32 minutes later)
Emergency services at the scene after the attack on Thursday morning Watch: Armed police at the scene of Manchester synagogue attack
Two Jewish people have died in a car ramming and stabbing attack at a synagogue in Manchester.Two Jewish people have died in a car ramming and stabbing attack at a synagogue in Manchester.
The attack came on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar, and is being treated by police as a terror incident.The attack came on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar, and is being treated by police as a terror incident.
Police say they know the identity of the attacker, who was shot dead by armed officers at the scene.Police say they know the identity of the attacker, who was shot dead by armed officers at the scene.
Here is what we know so far. Four people remain in hospital with serious injuries. Here is what we know so far about the attack.
Follow live updates on this storyFollow live updates on this story
Police responded to reports of a car driving towards members of the public and a man stabbed at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue at 09:31 BST on Thursday.Police responded to reports of a car driving towards members of the public and a man stabbed at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue at 09:31 BST on Thursday.
Officers quickly declared a major incident and arrived at the scene within minutes, shooting dead the suspect at 09:38. Officers quickly declared a major incident and arrived at the scene in north Manchester within minutes, shooting dead the suspect at 09:38.
A large number of people were worshipping at the synagogue at the time, and were held inside while the surrounding area was made safe.A large number of people were worshipping at the synagogue at the time, and were held inside while the surrounding area was made safe.
Worshippers helped stop the attacker from entering the building, Greater Manchester Police said. Worshippers and security staff demonstrated "immediate bravery" and helped stop the attacker from entering the building, Greater Manchester Police said.
The synagogue is located in the Crumpsall area, which has a large Jewish community
Shah, a local resident, said she was driving past the synagogue when she saw a vehicle "just sort of rushing past and driving straight for the members of the public".Shah, a local resident, said she was driving past the synagogue when she saw a vehicle "just sort of rushing past and driving straight for the members of the public".
She then saw a man "jump out" and start running towards the people, she said, calling the scene "traumatising" .She then saw a man "jump out" and start running towards the people, she said, calling the scene "traumatising" .
"The man was just running out with a knife and he just started going on a bit of a rampage. It's quite terrifying to be completely honest.""The man was just running out with a knife and he just started going on a bit of a rampage. It's quite terrifying to be completely honest."
Gareth Tonge, another eyewitness who was driving his delivery van near the scene, told the BBC he saw a man "bleeding out on the floor".Gareth Tonge, another eyewitness who was driving his delivery van near the scene, told the BBC he saw a man "bleeding out on the floor".
Mr Tonge added: "Within seconds, the police arrived, they gave him a couple of warnings, he didn't listen so they opened fire," he explained, saying the man holding the knife then went down on the floor.Mr Tonge added: "Within seconds, the police arrived, they gave him a couple of warnings, he didn't listen so they opened fire," he explained, saying the man holding the knife then went down on the floor.
The man then "started getting back up and they [the police] shot him again", Mr Tonge added - describing it as "nerve-racking" to witness.The man then "started getting back up and they [the police] shot him again", Mr Tonge added - describing it as "nerve-racking" to witness.
The North West Ambulance Service confirmed that a major incident had been declared and that it had deployed staff to the scene. Police said they declared "Plato" moments after hearing about the incident - a set of responses by the emergency services to large-scale incidents including "marauding terrorist attacks".
How many people have died and been injured? The area was cordoned off as fire and ambulance staff rushed to the scene, as members of the Jewish community and the wider public gathered nearby.
Two Jewish people were killed in the attack, Greater Manchester Police said. Four others remain in hospital being treated for a variety of serious injuries. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told the BBC that at about 10:30 the "immediate danger appear[ed] to be over," but urged the public to avoid the area as the police response continued.
Police earlier said the injuries were a result of both the vehicle and stab wounds. Police confirmed just after 15:15 that two Jewish people had been killed, while four others remained in hospital where they were being treated for a variety of serious injuries.
The man who was stabbed is believed to be a security guard. They had said earlier the injuries were a result of both the vehicle and stab wounds. A man who was stabbed is believed to be a security guard.
Shortly afterwards, the head of national counter-terror policing told a separate press conference at New Scotland Yard that the attack had been declared a terrorist incident.
The prime minister condemned the "horrific" attack on the Jewish holy day and left a political summit in Denmark early in response to the incident.
He will chair a meeting of the government's emergency COBR committee in London later on Thursday.
Who is the suspect?Who is the suspect?
An image taken near the scene this morning shows a man believed to be the suspect with items around his waistAn image taken near the scene this morning shows a man believed to be the suspect with items around his waist
Police believe they know the suspect's identity but cannot yet confirm it "for safety reasons at the scene," counter-terrorism policing chief Laurence Taylor said on Thursday afternoon. Police believe they know the suspect's identity but cannot yet confirm it "for safety reasons at the scene," counter-terrorism policing chief Laurence Taylor said in a separate press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Two further arrests had been made, he said. Two further arrests have been made, he said.
Sir Stephen Watson, of GMP, said the suspect was wearing "a vest which had the appearance of an explosive device". GMP chief Sir Stephen Watson said the suspect was wearing "a vest which had the appearance of an explosive device".
Earlier, police said they could not initially confirm whether the suspect had died "due to safety issues surround[ing] suspicious items on his person".Earlier, police said they could not initially confirm whether the suspect had died "due to safety issues surround[ing] suspicious items on his person".
Emergency services at the scene after the attack on Thursday morning
The force said a bomb disposal unit had been called to the scene.The force said a bomb disposal unit had been called to the scene.
The BBC has verified that an image said to show the attacker was taken from just outside the perimeter fence of the scene on Thursday morning.The BBC has verified that an image said to show the attacker was taken from just outside the perimeter fence of the scene on Thursday morning.
The individual's appearance matches that of a man seen being apparently shot by police at the same location in verified video from the scene of the attack.The individual's appearance matches that of a man seen being apparently shot by police at the same location in verified video from the scene of the attack.
Watch: Armed police at the scene of Manchester synagogue attack
A clip circulating on social media, verified by the BBC, appears to show the moment police opened fire.A clip circulating on social media, verified by the BBC, appears to show the moment police opened fire.
In it, two armed officers can be seen standing pointing their weapons at a figure lying prone on the ground.In it, two armed officers can be seen standing pointing their weapons at a figure lying prone on the ground.
Seconds later, the figure attempts to stand up. A sharp cracks ring out and the man falls to the ground.Seconds later, the figure attempts to stand up. A sharp cracks ring out and the man falls to the ground.
Police say there is "no risk to the public" but advise people to avoid the area while they deal with the incident.
The site has been cordoned off, with police, fire and ambulance services present and helicopters overhead - including an SAS counter-terrorism aircraft.
A controlled explosion was heard at the police cordon at around 13:20.
Members of the Jewish community and the wider public could be seen gathering around the scene.
Members of the Jewish community pictured near the scene
Police said they declared "Plato" moments after first hearing about the incident.
Operation Plato is a set of responses by the emergency services to large-scale incidents including "marauding terrorist attacks".
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said "additional police assets" would be deployed at synagogues across the country after the attack.
He told reporters: "We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe."
What is Yom Kippur?What is Yom Kippur?
Members of the Jewish community pictured near the scene
Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar.Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar.
It is a solemn time of fasting and atonement thought to be the day God seals the fate of each person for the coming years. Work is forbidden as the day is set aside for prayer and reflection. It is a solemn time of fasting and atonement thought to be the day God seals the fate of each person for the coming year. Work is forbidden as the day is set aside for prayer and reflection.
Many who do not regularly attend synagogue services do so - as such, security is often increased.Many who do not regularly attend synagogue services do so - as such, security is often increased.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said "additional police assets" would be deployed at synagogues across the country after the attack.
He told reporters: "We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe."
Rabbi Jonathan Romain, of Maidenhead Synagogue, told PA news agency said this is "every Jewish person's worst nightmare".Rabbi Jonathan Romain, of Maidenhead Synagogue, told PA news agency said this is "every Jewish person's worst nightmare".
"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.""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."
King Charles III said he and the Queen were "deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community".King Charles III said he and the Queen were "deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community".
The prime minister said he was "appalled" by the attack.The prime minister said he was "appalled" by the attack.
He said in a statement: "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 in a statement: "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.""My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services and all the first responders."
He will chair a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee in London this afternoon, flying home early from a European summit in Denmark to do so.He will chair a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee in London this afternoon, flying home early from a European summit in Denmark to do so.
The home secretary said she was "horrified" by news of the attack on the holy day and that she was receiving updates from local police.The home secretary said she was "horrified" by news of the attack on the holy day and that she was receiving updates from local police.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told the BBC it looked like "an outrageous attack on the Jewish community on their holiest day" - calling it "vile and disgusting".Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told the BBC it looked like "an outrageous attack on the Jewish community on their holiest day" - calling it "vile and disgusting".