Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood issued a defiant statement following the attack at a synagogue in Manchester.
Mahmood said the Government "will do whatever is required to keep our Jewish community safe. "She said: “I am horrified by the anti-Semitic terrorist attack at a synagogue on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar."
A horrifying photo showed him wearing a 'bomb belt' while another showed him shot dead on the ground with a blade and 'bomb' next to him.
Several more people were injured in the attack at the synagogue this morning with four remaining in a serious condition. A cordon has been placed around the Heaton Park synagogue, where armed police, paramedics, a bomb disposal unit and firefighters remain on scene.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) initially declared the attack a major incident and the Met's Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, later confirmed two other people had been arrested.
Witnesses revealed they felt "horrendous" after the first details about the attack came to light.
“Horrendous, when I first heard it on the news. I couldn't believe it. I was absolutely shocked and heartbroken,” the gran said.
“I don’t know why because we are good people. I know in my heart we are good people and we just want to live and let live and I don’t understand why.”
The couple said they were singers who attended events at the Synagogue.
"My granddaughter works there, she takes the service there…I would have thought she would have been there today. You feel very vulnerable at the moment…” the grandfather said.
“I’m just very worried genuinely. I am worried about the whole community at the moment…
"We both have grandchildren at the Jewish schools…this is the holiest day of the year in the Jewish calendar. It is just horrendous…it will have a huge impact. People are going to be very nervous.”
The Mayor of Greater Manchester condemned the terrorist attack on a synagogue in the city as “an horrific antisemitic attack on our Jewish friends and neighbours” and urged people to “stand together in these difficult times”.
Giving a statement to reporters at the scene, Andy Burnham said: “Tonight, our first thoughts are with the families of those people who died, those injured and those traumatised by this, an horrific antisemitic attack on our Jewish friends and neighbours. We condemn it outright.
“Greater Manchester will never stand aside when one of our communities is attacked.
“We ask everyone to show solidarity to the Jewish community this weekend, and already, we’ve mobilised through our interfaith network messages of support and solidarity through places of worship.”
He added: “We always will stand together here in Greater Manchester, and we will never let acts that are designed to cause hatred, division in our communities, violence – we will never let them succeed, and that’s our message tonight to everybody across Greater Manchester: Do not let them succeed. Respond by reaching out, by redoubling efforts to work together and stand together in these difficult times.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the Government “will do whatever is required to keep our Jewish community safe”.
She said: “I am horrified by the antisemitic terrorist attack at a synagogue on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
“My prayers are with the victims and the families of all of those who are murdered here today.
“I want to thank the police and all of the emergency services for the speed of their response and also for their considerable bravery.
“The Government has stepped up security at synagogues across the whole of the country, and we will do whatever is required to keep our Jewish community safe.
“I know that there are many questions that are still to be answered, and rest assured, they will be answered as quickly as possible, it will just take a little time for us to establish exactly what has happened here, but we will share more information as soon as we are able to.
“What I do want to say is to those who seek to divide us, they will fail.”
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said "first thoughts" are with the Jewish community.
He praised emergency services for their swift response following the attack.
He branded the attack as an anti-Semitic one and said Manchester would not accept an attack on one of its communities.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has vowed to give answers following today's terror attack.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement: “Israel grieves with the Jewish community in the UK after the barbaric terror attack in Manchester.
“Our hearts are with the families of the murdered, and we pray for the swift recovery of the wounded.
“As I warned at the UN: weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism.
“Only strength and unity can defeat it.”
Keir Starmer has said Britain must defeat rising hatred of Jewish people after a terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester.
In a statement from Downing Street, the Prime Minister offered his condolences to the victims' families and those impacted in the "horrific incident".
Mr Starmer said the Jewish community in Britain will see a "more visible police presence" as he promised to do "everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve".
The Prime Minister said: "To every Jewish person in this country, I also want to say this. I know how much fear you will be holding inside of you. I really do."
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Police have confirmed the device the suspect was wearing was not viable.
A GMP spokesperson said in a statement: "First and foremost, my thoughts, and those of my officers and staff, are with the families of the loved ones who have been affected by today’s horrific incident, on what is the Jewish community’s holiest day: Yom Kippur.
"This has been officially declared as a terrorist incident, and the investigation is now being led by Counter Terrorist Police. As has been confirmed by CT policing, we believe that the identity of the offender has been established but until we are certain of this fact, it is premature to set out this detail. In addition, I can confirm that two other individuals have been arrested in connection with this incident and enquiries are ongoing.
"We can confirm that two members of our Jewish community have sadly died as a result of this attack. 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 initial call.
"Four further people remain in hospital, having suffered a variety of serious injuries and their treatment is ongoing and our thoughts remain with them at this time."
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will join the Cobra meeting led by Sir Keir Starmer in response to the attack in Crumpsall remotely from Greater Manchester, it is understood.
Ms Mahmood travelled to Greater Manchester Police headquarters on Thursday afternoon for an operational update and to show her support to officers.
She has also spoken with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, as well as with Jewish community leaders, including Marc Levy of the Jewish Leadership Council and Mark Gardner, CST chief executive, to offer any support needed.
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson says detectives believe they have “established the identity of the offender” but it is too soon to say any more.
People have been asked not to share sensitive videos or content online.
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said: “People will want answers and quickly. But please understand, this will take time.
“I would ask that people refrain from sharing disturbing and insensitive content as well as information online. Please, report it to police.”
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson has given a statement following today’s synagogue attack in Manchester.
He said: “Thanks to the immediate bravery of the security staff and the worshipers inside, as well as the fast response of the police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access.”
He added: “The offender was fatally shot within seven minutes of the call.”
The body of a man, known to be the attacker, lies dead on the ground at the scene after being shot by police.
The image shows the man, a knife and what appears to be a bag on the floor alongside him.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was at an EU meeting in Copenhagen today, has flown back and is expected soon.
Police have confirmed two people have been arrested following the attack.
The force have confirmed the incident this morning is being treated as terror-related.
Speaking outside New Scotland Yard, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: "We have also made two further arrests.
"Based on what we know, counter terrorism policing has declared this as a terrorist incident.”
Police have confirmed three other members of the public who were attacked earlier today remain in a 'serious' condition in hospital.
Counter-terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor provided the update a moment ago.
He said: “This morning, an appalling attack took place in Crumpsall in Manchester. Two people have died. The attacker has been shot dead by the police.
“Three other members of the public are in a serious condition."
Counter terrorism police are deploying all resources possible following the horror attack in Manchester this morning.
They say they will make sure all lines of inquiry are investigated to build a full picture in the coming days and weeks.
Police say they believe they know the attacker's identity.
Speaking outside New Scotland Yard, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, has said: "But for safety reasons at the scene we’re unable to confirm at this stage".
Counter terrorism have declared this a terrorist incident.
The counter terrorism chief has given a statement following the attack at a synagogue in Manchester this morning that saw two people killed and three injured – with armed police shooting dead the suspect.
Speaking outside New Scotland Yard, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, has said: "The attacker has been shot dead by police, we believe we know his identity.
"We have made two further arrests. Counter terrorism have declared this a terrorist attack."
The Prince and Princess of Wales have expressed their condolences.
"Our thoughts are with the victims and the families of the terrible attack at Heaton Park Synagogue. The fact that this tragedy occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more shocking," the royal's statement says.
"We are thinking of the entire community as well as the emergency responders who attended this terrible incident."
The Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, is planning to make a statement to the media outside New Scotland Yard at 3pm today.
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson is also set to speak at 3:15pm.
Prince William and Kate Middleton have released a statement following the attack in Crumpsall this morning. "Our thoughts are with the victims and the families of the terrible attack at Heaton Park Synagogue," the statement reads.
Our thoughts are with the victims and the families of the terrible attack at Heaton Park Synagogue.

The fact that this tragedy occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more shocking.

We are thinking of the entire community as well as…
The Prime Minister has arrived back in the UK to chair an emergency Cobra meeting following the attack in Greater Manchester.
Sir Keir Starmer, who landed back in the UK at around 2.30pm, will return to Downing Street before chairing the meeting. He had been attending a European summit in Denmark when the incident occurred.
A neighbour who lives by the synagogue at the scene of a horror attack has told how a car crashed into the gates and "started stabbing anyone near him".
Chava Lewin, who described herself as a religious Jew, said: "I spoke to someone who said she was driving and saw a car driving erratically and it crashed into the gates (of the synagogue). She thought maybe he had a heart attack.
"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. He was in the courtyard. Someone barricaded the door. Everyone is in utter shock."
The New York Police department say they're "tracking" the incident in Manchester and have placed enhanced coverage and high visibility patrols around synagogues today for Yom Kippur.
We are tracking the incident in Manchester, England. At this time, there is no known nexus to NYC. The NYPD already has in place enhanced coverage and high visibility patrols around synagogues today for Yom Kippur.

As always, if you see something, say something 1-888-NYC-SAFE
Greater Manchester Police said a loud noise heard at the scene of the attack was officers gaining entry to the suspect's vehicle as a precaution. The force said: “In response to today’s major incident in Crumpsall, a loud noise was heard at the scene as specialist resources gained entry to the suspect’s vehicle as a precaution.
“There is no risk to the public and ongoing activity in relation to this major incident can be expected as we continue our inquiries. People are urged to avoid the area and speak to our officers if they have any concerns. We have officers deployed across key sites in the local area.
“We can confirm three people have died, including the offender, who was shot by GMP Firearms officers.”
Moments after the chilling word “Plato” rang out through police communications at 9.31am Armed Response Vehicles were screaming towards Heaton Park Synagogue, Manchester.
A quick-thinking caller to 999 had told police a man had been stabbed and people had been run over. Armed police were deployed, minutes later shooting a suspect – one of his apparent victims lying nearby in a pool of blood. The codeword “Plato” alerted armed police that a ‘marauding terror attack’ was underway and needed to be closed down urgently as cars called ‘gunships’ screamed towards the scene of horror.
At 9.38 the first shots rang out as the terror attacker was wounded and then when he slowly rose again, fearing he was about to let off a suicide bomb, he was killed. Almost simultaneously ambulances arrived at the scene to save the lives of the injured.
Locals were heard at the scene saying “he’s got a bomb” before one of the armed police officers fired another round into him after ordering watching public to move away
Full story: Chilling police codeword which led to cops shooting suspect
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that the suspect in the Manchester synagogue attack is dead after being shot by armed officers.
"There is no risk to the public and ongoing activity in relation to this major incident can be expected as we continue our enquiries," police say. "We can confirm three people have died, including the offender, who was shot by GMP Firearms officers."
The British Muslim Trust described the attack as "despicable" and "cowardly", and said it stands with the Jewish community. The trust, a Government-funded organisation selected this year to monitor incidents of anti-Muslim hate, warned no-one should be allowed to "exploit this violence to deepen the division they seek".
British Muslim Trust chief executive Akeela Ahmed 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.
"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."
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