The bravery of security staff prevented the terrorist from entering a synagogue full of worshippers, a police chief has said. 
An attacker was shot dead by police moments after he targeted worshippers at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester shortly before 9:30am.
Two people were killed and three others seriously injured in the car and knife attack, which took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson of Greater Manchester Police said it was “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”.
He added: “There were a large number of worshippers attending the synagogue at the time of this attack.”
He added that the suspect was shot within seven minutes of the first call to the emergency services and two people had since been arrested over the attack. 
A photograph earlier emerged of the terrorist wearing what appears to be a bullet proof vest and a possible bomb.
It is not clear if the device strapped to him was a viable explosive device but a bomb disposal unit was sent to the scene.
Two firearms officers were seen on social media footage surrounding a man on the ground, shouting at members of the public to “get back, he has got a bomb”.
Moments later, the terrorist attempted to get to his feet before officers shouted a warning and gun shots rang out.
Sir Keir Starmer has flown back to the UK early from a meeting of European leaders in Denmark to chair an emergency Cobra meeting on the stabbing.
He said the Government will deploy “additional police assets” at synagogues across the country.
Kemi Badenoch has said the attack on the Manchester synagogue raises “new questions” about the state of the UK.
In a post on X, she said: “The murders in Manchester shock us all. Jews murdered simply for being Jews. That should not be the UK of 2025. But it is.
“On Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Jews take time for introspection. To ask themselves – where have we gone wrong in the past, and what do we need to do to be better in the future.
“These are questions we urgently need to ask ourselves as a nation.
“Today’s murders raise new questions. And they will require new answers.”
Warning: The hidden image shows a bomb disposal technician inspecting the back of the suspect’s dead body using a metal detector. 
Video shared on social media appeared to show police officers warning bystanders to “get back” and “move on” because the suspect had a bomb.
The police are yet to confirm whether explosives items have been found at the scene, but loud explosions were heard earlier in the day.
The chief constable of Greater Manchester Police has thanked security staff and worshippers at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue for their bravery.
He said: “At this time, we know that a car was driven directly at members of the public outside the Heaton Park Hebrew congregation synagogue on Middleton Road, Crumsall, in Manchester..
“The driver of the car was seen then to attack people with a knife. He was wearing about his body a vest which had the appearance of an explosive device.
“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 worshippers inside, as well as the fast response of the police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access.”
Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson of Greater Manchester Police has said the suspect was short within minutes of the first call to emergency services.
“Following a rapid response, armed officers from Greater Manchester Police intercepted the offender and he was fatally shot by officers within seven minutes of the original call,” he said.
Sir Stephen confirmed that two members of Greater Manchester’s Jewish community had died as a result of the attack.
He said his thoughts and those of his officers were with the families of those affected by today’s “horrific incident”.
Sir Keir Starmer has arrived back in Downing Street to chair a Cobra meeting on the Manchester attack.
The head of counter-terrorism policing, who just gave a press conference outside Scotland Yard, has also entered No 10.
A former national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing has said he is “not surprised” about the attack at the synagogue on Yom Kippur, because holy days “bring an additional element of concern”.
Nick Aldworth told BBC Radio 4: “I’m not surprised that it’s happened. Yesterday, when I was driving home, there was a feature on Radio 4, which mentioned that today was Yom Kippur – I’d forgotten. My immediate thought was ‘oh, gosh, I hope nothing awful happens’.
“And the reason I say that is because, for years, we’ve recognised that high holy days bring an additional element of concern to the Jewish community and to those of us who have been tasked with protecting those communities.
“And certainly in London I used to be responsible for a massive operation, probably the second biggest operation to New Year’s or Notting Hill Carnival, to actually protect those communities across the high holy day period.
“So I know the same is reflected in Manchester, which may well account for why there’s been such a quick response up there today. But no, I’m not surprised.”
The national head of counter-terrorism policing, just confirmed this in a statement outside New Scotland Yard in London.
Speaking outside Scotland Yard, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “We believe we know their identity, but for safety reasons at the scene, we are unable to confirm at this stage.”
He said three other members of the public are in a serious condition.
Two people have been arrested over the attack, the head of counter-terrorism policing has confirmed.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “We have also made two further arrests, and based on what we know, counter terrorism policing has declared this as a terrorist incident.”
He added: “An attack on our Jewish community today on Yom Kippur is devastating. Communities across the UK would normally be marking this holy day.
“UK policing is mobilising, and it’s mobilising fast. Police forces are stepping up patrols across the country and at synagogues and Jewish sites, and more widely to provide reassurance to all those communities who have been affected by the atrocity.”
We’re expecting to hear from the head of counter-terrorism policing shortly.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor is due to make a statement, followed by a statement from the Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson.
The British Muslim Trust described the attack as “despicable” and “cowardly”, as it warned of potential retaliatory acts. 
The trust, a Government-funded organisation monitoring incidents of anti-Muslim hate, warned no-one should be allowed to “exploit this violence to deepen the division they seek”.
Akeela Ahmed, the trust’s chief executive, said: “The attack in Manchester this morning is shocking and utterly abhorrent, and to commit these acts on Yom Kippur is sickening. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and our thoughts and best wishes go to all those affected.
“There is never, and can never be, any place for this sort of despicable, cowardly violence in our society. The British Muslim Trust stands with all victims of hate, and in particular today with the Jewish community, the people of Manchester and the Community Security Trust.
“We utterly condemn this disgraceful attack and offer our support to those left to pick up the pieces.
“Finally, in worrying times like these we ask Muslims and all communities to look out for each other and remain vigilant. We know there are some  who will seek to exploit this violence to deepen the division they seek – we must not let them.”
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