Two people have died and a man has been shot by armed police after a car was driven at pedestrians and a person was stabbed in outside a synagogue on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
Greater Manchester Police said three others are in a serious condition following the attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road in Crumpsall on Thursday morning.
Police have confirmed that the two people who died were members of the Jewish community.
It was initially declared a terror attack, however police later confirmed that it is now being regarded as a major incident.
The force confirmed a bomb disposal unit was sent to the scene after footage shared on social media appeared to show members of the public shouting to firearms officers that the suspect had a bomb strapped to him.
However, the “vest which had the appearance of an explosive device” worn by the suspect in the attack was not viable, Greater Manchester Police said.
Police have confirmed that there is no risk to the public following the attack.
Police were called to the incident where a man – who is believed to be the offender – was shot by firearms officers.
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.”
A neighbour, Chava Lewin, told Reuters she had been told that the car had been driving erratically before crashing into the gates of the synagogue.
“The second he got out of the car he started stabbing anyone near him. He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue,” she told British media. “Someone barricaded the door. Everyone is in utter shock.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that additional police were being deployed to synagogues across the country, adding “we will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe”.
The Prime Minister arrived back in the UK to chair a Cobra meeting following the attack in Greater Manchester.
Mr Starmer will return to Downing Street before chairing the meeting.
He had been attending a European summit in Denmark when the incident occurred.
The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Dr David Walker, has said it is important not to allow rhetoric “get ahead of our humanity” as he responded to the attack at a synagogue in his diocese.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s World At One, he said: “It’s really important that we recognise the power of our words, and that we that we don’t allow our rhetoric to get ahead of our humanity.”