Two dead following attack on Manchester synagogue - as suspect shot dead by police

The attack took place outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, as worshippers gathered to celebrate yom kippur - the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Police received a call from the public at 9.31 on Thursday to reports that a security guard had been stabbed outside the synagogue and a vehicle driven into pedestrians.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed in an update that two people died in the incident, with a third person, a man believed to be the offender, shot by GMP Firearms Officers.

Three other members of the public remain in a serious condition.

The suspect is "believed to be deceased", with the force unable to confirm this due to "safety issues surround suspicious items on his person" - as bomb disposal experts remain at the scene.

LIVE: Four injured in Manchester synagogue terror attack as suspect shot by police

The area where the attack took place has been described by locals as the "heart of Manchester's Jewish community".

It comes as one rabbi described the attack at the synagogue as “every Jewish person’s worst nightmare”.

The suspect did not gain access to the building, police confirmed, with shots fired by armed police at 9.38am.

The incident saw emergency services respond within minutes; a bomb disposal unit is now at the scene.

Unverified reports suggest the suspect was wearing some form of 'vest', with videos circulating online showing onlookers shouting in terror.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed that the incident saw a security guard stabbed outside the synagogue, with three other people injured in the attack, either by the car driven at people or as part of the stabbing.

Word that the suspect had died following the attack first emerged as unverified reports from Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

Mr Burnham said a "serious incident" took place, adding that the immediate danger is now over.

Following the incident, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he was returning early from his European summit to chair a Cobra meeting later this afternoon.

A short distance away from the synagogue in Crumpsall, police officers armed with Heckler & Koch machine guns stood guard at the head of a path, between houses, leading up to the back of the synagogue.

Various police vehicles, sirens blaring, could be heard in the distance and an unmarked car, driven by a man who appeared to be military personnel, wearing brown camouflage army fatigues and a green cap, drove towards the cordon.

Masked anti-terror police remain at the scene alongside bomb disposal teams.

One eye-witness who was passing the scene described "a guy bleeding out on the floor".

She went on to describe "a guy in front of the car, we couldn't see him but he was lying on the floor.

"There were a few people stood on the roads shouting 'He's in the synagogue" and we looked over and saw a guy with a knife stabbing the windows.'"

Police were seen to swarm the scene on Middleton Road this morning, with the road closed between Wilton Road and Crumpsall Lane.

Taking to social media following the incident, the PM said: "I’m appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall.

"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."

North West Ambulance Service said in a statement: "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."

Posting on Bluesky, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “Horrified and appalled by the attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

“My thoughts are with the victims, our brave emergency services and the entire Jewish community.”

The reported stabbings come as members of the Jewish community observe Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar and is a time when synagogues are usually particularly busy.

Dave Rich, of the Community Security Trust (CST) - a charity that monitors antisemitism in the UK, said the day is similar to Christmas Day for Christians, but is a day of solemnity and fasting rather than celebration.

He said: "Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year.

"It's a very solemn day and synagogues across the country will be full throughout the day.

"There's always a significant security operation in place between police and CST across the Jewish community on all major Jewish festivals."

In a statement on Thursday, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: "Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 9.31am by a member of the public, stating he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public, and one man had been stabbed.

"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.

"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."