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| Manchester synagogue attack: what do we know so far? | Manchester synagogue attack: what do we know so far? |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Attack at Heaton Park synagogue that killed two people has been declared a terrorist incident | Attack at Heaton Park synagogue that killed two people has been declared a terrorist incident |
| Manchester synagogue stabbing – latest updates | Manchester synagogue stabbing – latest updates |
| What happened? | What happened? |
| At 9.31am on Thursday a member of the public rang the police saying they had witnessed “a car being driven towards members of the public, and one man had been stabbed” outside Heaton Park Shul, a synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, where people had gathered to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish faith. | At 9.31am on Thursday a member of the public rang the police saying they had witnessed “a car being driven towards members of the public, and one man had been stabbed” outside Heaton Park Shul, a synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, where people had gathered to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish faith. |
| By 9.37am Greater Manchester police had declared a major incident and designated Operation Plato, the code given for “marauding terrorist attacks”. | By 9.37am Greater Manchester police had declared a major incident and designated Operation Plato, the code given for “marauding terrorist attacks”. |
| At 9.38am GMP firearms officers shot a man believed to be the attacker. Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41am and four people were reportedly treated for stab wounds and impact injuries from the suspect’s vehicle. A bomb disposal team arrived later. | At 9.38am GMP firearms officers shot a man believed to be the attacker. Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41am and four people were reportedly treated for stab wounds and impact injuries from the suspect’s vehicle. A bomb disposal team arrived later. |
| At 11.15am it was announced that two of the injured people had died, as had the suspect. | At 11.15am it was announced that two of the injured people had died, as had the suspect. |
| At 3pm, Laurence Taylor, the head of counter-terrorism policing in the UK, declared the attack a terrorist incident and said two arrests had been made in relation to it. Later, GMP’s chief constable, Stephen Watson, said the suspect had been wearing “a vest which had the appearance of an explosive device”. | |
| Where did it happen? | Where did it happen? |
| The attack took place outside the gates of Heaton Park Shul, an Ashkenazi Orthodox synagogue founded in 1967 on Middleton Road, Higher Crumpsall, in north Manchester. Crumpsall, along with neighbouring Prestwich, has one of the largest Jewish communities in northern England. The synagogue will have been particularly busy due to it being Yom Kippur. Like many synagogues in Britain, it had security outside made up of trained and local volunteers. | The attack took place outside the gates of Heaton Park Shul, an Ashkenazi Orthodox synagogue founded in 1967 on Middleton Road, Higher Crumpsall, in north Manchester. Crumpsall, along with neighbouring Prestwich, has one of the largest Jewish communities in northern England. The synagogue will have been particularly busy due to it being Yom Kippur. Like many synagogues in Britain, it had security outside made up of trained and local volunteers. |
| What do we know about the victims? | |
| The identities of the victims have not been released yet, but we do know is that two of the people attacked outside the synagogue have died from their injuries. Police have confirmed that both of the deceased victims were members of the Jewish community, while one of the people stabbed was working as security outside of the synagogue, though whether they were there in a professional or volunteer capacity is still unknown. | |
| Who is the suspect? | Who is the suspect? |
| A picture of the suspect taken shortly before the attack has circulated in the media but so far no further details of him have emerged. Taylor, in his statement declaring the attack a terror incident, said the authorities believed they knew the attacker’s identity but due to “safety reasons at the scene” they were unable to confirm at this stage. | A picture of the suspect taken shortly before the attack has circulated in the media but so far no further details of him have emerged. Taylor, in his statement declaring the attack a terror incident, said the authorities believed they knew the attacker’s identity but due to “safety reasons at the scene” they were unable to confirm at this stage. |
| What is Yom Kippur? | What is Yom Kippur? |
| Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The name translates to “day of atonement” and it usually involves members of the Jewish faith fasting to “afflict their souls” and become closer to God. As the holiest day, it is observed by most Jewish people, including those who do not actively or regularly practice the religion. | Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The name translates to “day of atonement” and it usually involves members of the Jewish faith fasting to “afflict their souls” and become closer to God. As the holiest day, it is observed by most Jewish people, including those who do not actively or regularly practice the religion. |
| What has been the reaction to the attack? | What has been the reaction to the attack? |
| Keir Starmer said he was appalled by the attack and that the fact it took place on Yom Kippur “makes it all the more horrific”. He has flown back to the UK from Denmark where he had been due to speak to European leaders. | Keir Starmer said he was appalled by the attack and that the fact it took place on Yom Kippur “makes it all the more horrific”. He has flown back to the UK from Denmark where he had been due to speak to European leaders. |
| The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, described the attack as “vile and disgusting” and condemned “the rise in antisemitism that we’re seeing in our country”. | The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, described the attack as “vile and disgusting” and condemned “the rise in antisemitism that we’re seeing in our country”. |
| The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said he would “stand with GM’s Jewish community at this time and will work through the day to support them”. | The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said he would “stand with GM’s Jewish community at this time and will work through the day to support them”. |
| Graham Stringer, the MP for Blackley and Middleton South where the synagogue is located, told BBC Radio Manchester: “We have to make sure these evil people do not damage our community.” He said: “By and large community relations are excellent between all the different ethnic groups and religious groups” in the area. | Graham Stringer, the MP for Blackley and Middleton South where the synagogue is located, told BBC Radio Manchester: “We have to make sure these evil people do not damage our community.” He said: “By and large community relations are excellent between all the different ethnic groups and religious groups” in the area. |