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Keir Starmer will chair an emergency Cobra meeting in response to the attack, which has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar
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Two people have died after a suspected terror attack outside a synagogue in Manchester, police have confirmed, while the suspect has been shot by officers.
The suspect, who is believed to be dead, is said to have used a car and a knife to carry out the attack, Greater Manchester Police said as they confirmed a major incident had been declared. Three others remain in a serious condition.
Dozens of armed officers, fire and ambulance crews are on the scene at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road in Crumpsall, and a bomb disposal unit has been deployed following reports the suspect was wearing a suicide vest.
Shocked members of the community have gathered outside as the attack comes on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” by the attack and confirmed that “additional police assets” will be deployed at synagogues across the country as he flies back to the UK from Denmark to chair an emergency Cobra meeting.
The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said it is a “serious incident” and advised people to avoid the area.
People are being urged to only attend A&E across Greater Manchester if their condition is life-threatening.
It comes after a number of hospitals in Greater Manchester said they are in “lockdown” following the attack.
A statement issued by Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership, which represents NHS and care organisations in the area, said: “We are actively supporting the multi-agency response led by Greater Manchester.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety and care of patients and staff across the region, and we are working closely with partners to manage any impact on local hospitals and emergency departments.
“We urge the public to only attend accident & emergency (A&E) departments if your condition is urgent or life-threatening.
“This will help us prioritise care for those most in need and ensure emergency teams can respond effectively to this incident.
“If you have an appointment, please attend as planned unless you are contacted.”
The Independent’s crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin reports
Police have confirmed a bomb disposal unit is at the scene of the synagogue attack.
The suspect, who was shot by armed officers, is said to have “suspicious items on his person”.
The first pictures of the alleged attacker appear to show a man wearing a stab-proof vest with items strapped to a belt.
He is believed to have been killed but police say they cannot confirm his condition until the safety issues have been resolved by bomb disposal experts.In footage shared by the BBC armed officers can be heard telling members of the public to get back because “he has a bomb”.
“Everybody else, get back. If you’re not involved, move back, get away… he has a bomb, go away,” an officer can be heard shouting.
Afzal Khan, Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme, said on X: “Horrifying news out of Crumpsall this morning following a major incident. I want to thank the police for swift action.
“Praying for the whole community on this holy day.
“Violence is never the answer and Manchester must stand together against these actions.”
Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Emily Spurell said forces across the country are making efforts to reassure Jewish communities.
“I am shocked by this morning’s attack at a synagogue on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
“My thoughts are with the Jewish community and all those caught up in this troubling incident.
“I would urge people not to speculate about the circumstances and allow the police to investigate.
“Forces nationwide are responding quickly with additional resources deployed to synagogues to reassure Jewish communities across the country everything is being done to keep them safe.”
Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig has said she is “horrified” by the “reprehensible attack.”
“Our thoughts are with those who have been killed and seriously injured, their loved ones and with everyone who has been affected by this awful incident,” she said.
“We have been supporting our local community throughout the morning and offer our full support and love.
“We will be working Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and our local communities in the hours ahead to offer support and reassurance.
“Manchester stands with our Jewish community at this darkest of moments, and will come together as a city.”
A number of hospitals in Greater Manchester are in “lockdown” following the incident at the synagogue in Crumpsall, it has been reported.
An internal note shared by the Northern Care Alliance (NCA) NHS Foundation Trust and seen by the Manchester Evening News said all of its sites “have been asked to immediately lock down” following the declaration of a major incident.
“We have been informed that emergency services are at the scene of an incident within Manchester. We will share further details as these become available,” the note added.
NCA hospitals include Salford Royal, Fairfield General, Rochdale Infirmary and the Royal Oldham.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson praised the “quick response” of a witness to the attack which allowed police to take “swift action” to prevent the offender “from entering the synagogue”.
The spokesperson said: “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.
“We are grateful to the member of the public whose quick response to what they witnessed allowed our swift action, and as a result the offender was prevented from entering the synagogue.
“We remain in direct contact with all synagogues across Greater Manchester to provide reassurance and this will continue for as long as needed.”
Police urged anyone with images or footage of the incident to refrain from circulating them on social media but to share them directly with the force.
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