‘Hatred is rising again': Starmer vows to keep Jewish community safe after Manchester synagogue attack
'I promise you that I will do everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve, the Prime Minister pledged
Sir Keir Starmer has warned "hatred is rising once again" following the Manchester synagogue terror attack - as he pledged to keep Britain safe from the surging tide of antisemitic violence.
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Two people were killed and three more left critically injured after an attacker drove into Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall and launched a knife attack shortly after 9.30am on Thursday.
Sir Keir, who flew back from Denmark early to convene an emergency Cobra meeting, said the attack was carried out by “a vile individual [who] committed a terrorist attack that attacked Jews because they are Jews."
It came on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar – Yom Kippur.
Speaking following the Cobra meeting, the Prime Minister said: "We must be clear it is a hatred that is rising once again, and Britain must defeat it once again.”
In a message to the Jewish community, he said: "I promise you that I will do everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve, starting with a more visible police presence, protecting your community.
"I promise you that over the coming days, you will see the other Britain, the Britain of compassion, of decency, of love.
"And I promise you that this Britain will come together to wrap our arms around your community and show you that Britain is a place where you and your family are safe, secure and belong."
The alleged attacker was shot dead by Greater Manchester Police seven minutes after being alerted to the attack.
Greater Manchester Police and counter-terror cops are confident of the attacker's identity but are not currently not disclosing it.
"We believe that the identity of the offender has been established, but until we are certain of this fact, it is premature to set out this detail at this juncture," Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson told a news conference in Crumpsall.
Two arrests were also made nearby, police confirmed earlier today.
Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said enquiries are moving "at pace" but asked for patience with the investigation, stressing that "our priority is to keep the public safe".
"I want to share my gratitude to all of those members of the public who called the police as soon as they saw what was happening," he said.
He added that today's "horrific events" will have a "significant impact" on "all of our communities, not only in Greater Manchester but across our country".
Harrowing footage from the scene shared on social media shows officers yelling “he’s got a bomb, go away” and “stay in, stay inside”.
One officer can be heard shouting: "Everybody else, get back. If you're not involved, move back, get away... he has a bomb, go away."
King Charles has led tributes, saying he is “deeply shocked and saddened” by the “horrific” attack.
“My wife and I have been deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services,” he said.