British police have declared a terrorist incident after an attack outside a synagogue in Manchester on Thursday killed two people and left four others seriously injured.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who is the national co-ordinator for counterterrorism, confirmed that the attacker was shot and killed by officers and that two people died. Four others remain in serious condition.
He said police believe they know the identity of the perpetrator “but for safety reasons at the scene, we are unable to confirm at this stage.” Two arrests have been made, he added, without providing details.
“Based on what we know, counter terrorism policing has declared this as a terrorist incident,” Mr. Taylor said.
The attack started in the morning as worshippers gathered at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Police say a car rammed into a group of people and the driver then tried to enter the synagogue. A security guard was stabbed along with at least three others. Two worshippers were killed.
“There were a large number of worshippers attending the synagogue at the time of this attack, but thanks to the immediate bravery of security staff and the worshippers inside, as well as the fast response of the police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access,” said Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson.
Police shot the attacker who was wearing a vest “which had the appearance of an explosive device,” Chief Constable Watson told reporters. A bomb disposal unit was called in and determined the device was not viable.
“We know today’s horrifying attack, on the Jewish community’s holiest day, will have caused significant shock and fear throughout all of our communities,” Greater Manchester Police said in an earlier statement.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer returned to London from Copenhagen where he had been attending a summit of European Union leaders.
“I’m appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall,” Mr. Starmer told reporters. “I’m already able to say that additional police assets are being deployed to synagogues across the country, and we will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe.”
A bomb disposal unit spent much of the day at the site of the attack.Temilade Adelaja/Reuters
King Charles said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” to hear about the attack. “Especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community,” the King said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services.”
In a statement the Israeli embassy called the attack “abhorrent and deeply distressing.”
“We thank the Greater Manchester Police for their swift response. The safety and security of Jewish communities in the United Kingdom must be guaranteed,” the statement added.
Rabbi Jonathan Romain, of Maidenhead Synagogue, told the Press Association that the attack was “every rabbi’s or every Jewish person’s worst nightmare.”
He also connected it to rising tensions in Britain over the war in Gaza. “The real tragedy is, of course that the war in Gaza, which is tragic in itself, has sort of spilled over into the United Kingdom,” he said and added: “For the last two years, we were desperately trying to make sure that whatever was going on in the Middle East was not imported here. This has shown that our worst fears have been realized.”
Members of the public and congregants seen with police and other emergency responders at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.Christopher Furlong/Getty Images