The Jewish community has reacted with shock after four people were stabbed outside a synagogue in Manchester.
A vehicle was driven at a crowd, and a man was stabbed outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue at 9.31 am today on Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar, before the suspect was shot by police.
A Jewish man at the scene said: ‘It is the holiest day of the year and we get this.
‘There is no place for Jews in Britain anymore. It’s over.’
More members of the community gathered at the scene, with some in tears and embracing one another.
A representative for the Community Security Trust (CST) stated: ‘CST is collaborating with the police and the local Jewish community following a significant incident at a synagogue in north Manchester.
‘This appears to be an appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year.
‘We thank the GMP officers and synagogue security who responded immediately to deal with the incident.’
The Jewish community has expressed shock following the stabbing of four people outside a synagogue in Manchester (pictured: police engaging with individuals at the location).
Footage shows a suspect lying on the ground outside the synagogue as armed police aim their guns at him
A Kia Picanto, which appeared to have been damaged by a collision, pictured at the scene today
Sir Keir Starmer, who will return early from a meeting of European leaders to chair Cobra, expressed his horror, noting: ‘The fact that this happened on Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar, makes it particularly dreadful.
‘My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services and all the first responders.’
The Prime Minister assured that ‘additional police resources’ would be deployed at synagogues nationwide following the attack, stating: ‘We will do everything possible to ensure the safety of our Jewish community.’
A major incident has been declared, with ambulance services and police activating ‘Plato’ – the national code-word used by emergency services in response to a ‘marauding terror attack’.
Video shared on social media appears to show armed police officers pointing guns at someone laying on the ground. The officers scream at onlookers ‘he’s got a bomb’ and to ‘get back’ and ‘move on’.
The person on the ground is seen starting to get up before there is the sound of a gunshot and they fall to the ground. Another person is also shown lying motionless on the ground outside the synagogue gates with blood around their head.
A bomb disposal unit is at the scene alongside dozens of police vehicles and fire and ambulance crews.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said one victim appeared to be a security guard who had been attacked with a knife. He said ‘it is believed’ the suspect was dead, but this has not been confirmed.
‘I can give some assurance that the immediate danger appears to be over,’ he added.
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.’
A bomb disposal unit pictured at the scene alongside dozens of police vehicles and fire and ambulance crews
Police and ambulance crews near the cordon outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall
The force said it declared a major incident at 9.37am.
The statement continued: ‘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 9.41am and are tending to members of the public.
‘(There are) 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.’
Salford Royal, Fairfield General, Rochdale Infirmary, and the Royal Oldham hospitals are all ‘on lockdown’ after the incident.
Streets surrounding the synagogue have been cordoned off with police cars and vans, sirens blaring, racing down neighbouring roads.
Police officers dressed in black combat fatigues and carrying machine guns could also be seen inside the cordon outside the synagogue.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: ‘I am horrified by the news of an attack at a synagogue in Manchester today, on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
‘My first thoughts are with the victims, our brave police and emergency services.’
Christian Wakeford, Labour MP for neighbouring Bury South, which has a large Jewish community, said: ‘For this to happen on Yom Kippur is horrendous, my thoughts and prayers are with those affected, I know how worried my Jewish community will be regarding this attack.’
A major incident and police have enacted ‘Plato’ – the national code-word used by the emergency services when responding to a ‘marauding terror attack’
Fire and rescue crews are among those responding to the incident in Manchester
A Jewish man, among a group of shocked onlookers at the cordon, said his wife and daughter and other members of the congregation were still inside the synagogue.
A number of black, unmarked police 4×4 vehicles and vans carrying plain clothes officers with face coverings were seen leaving the area of the incident at speed.
Locals are being urged to avoid the scene on Middleton Road, while the road is closed between Wilton Road and Crumpsall Lane.
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said resources had been sent to the scene.
A spokesman said: ‘Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.’
It comes as members of the Jewish community observe Yom Kippur.
In terms of importance in the religious year he said it is similar to Christmas Day for Christians, but is a day of solemnity and fasting rather than celebration.
