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Topic:Crime
Armed police officers at the scene of the attack. (AP: Peter Byrne)
Two people have been killed in a car ramming and stabbing attack near a synagogue in Manchester.
Police shot and killed the suspect and have since declared the attack a terror incident.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he was "appalled" by the attack, which took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Two people have been killed and four others are in hospital after an assailant drove a car into people outside a synagogue in northern England and then began stabbing them.
Police also shot and killed the suspect, however it took them time to confirm his death due to concerns he was armed with an explosive, Greater Manchester Police said.
British counter terror police later confirmed they knew the identity of the suspect but did not release further details.
Police also arrested two other people in relation to the attack.
Authorities have publicly declared it a terror incident.
The attack took place as people gathered at an Orthodox synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Two people have died after an attack near a synagogue in north Manchester. (Reuters: Phil Noble)
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable, Sir Stephen Watson, said both victims were members of Manchester's Jewish community.
He said the offender was shot by armed officers within seven minutes of the attack beginning, thanking members for calling authorities.
Sir Stephen said security staff and worshippers prevented the suspect from gaining access to the synagogue.
He added that the attacker was wearing a vest "which had the appearance of an explosive device", but was later determined to not be a threat.
Officers were called to the scene at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall district of the city on Thursday morning, local time.
Police responded after a witness said a car had rammed members of the public and that one man had been stabbed.
After the attack, police were seen ushering a large group of mostly Jewish elderly men — some in tears, many looking shocked — away from the synagogue.
A bomb disposal technician could be seen working on a bag near to where the suspect was shot dead. (Reuters: Hannah McKay)
Police said there was no ongoing risk to the public following the incident.
Following the incident, pictures showed the suspect dead on the ground, with a knife and bag near their body. 
A bomb disposal technician and robot could be seen working on the bag, and witnesses later heard what sounded like an explosion.
Police also closed off a separate street nearby as part of the investigation.
In a national evening address, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the incident as a "terrorist attack" and urged the country to reject "antisemitic hatred".
He also hailed first responders for preventing "an even greater tragedy" while promising the Jewish community "that I will do everything in my power to guarantee the security you will deserve".
"I promise you that this Britain will come together to wrap our arms around your community and show you that Britain is a place where you and your family are safe, secure and belong."
The Metropolitian Police said it was boosting its presence around synagogues in London.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says the UK must reject antisemitism. (Reuters: James Manning/pool)
A video shared on social media and verified by Reuters showed police shooting a man inside the synagogue's perimeter, while another man lay on the floor in a pool of blood, appearing to wear a traditional Jewish head covering.
"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," a police 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."
Britain's King Charles said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" to learn of the attack, "especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community".
Emergency services at the scene of the attack. (AP: Peter Byrne)
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar released a statement on X condemning the violence as part of a "horrific wave of antisemitism".
Mr Sa'ar added that antisemitic and anti-Israeli sentiment had "become a widespread phenomenon" in Britain, calling on Mr Starmer's government to take action.
"The authorities in Britain have failed to take the necessary action to curb this toxic wave of antisemitism and have effectively allowed it to persist," he wrote.
There is a heavy police presence in the area, according to a Reuters photographer, with ambulance crews also seen in protective body armour and helmets.
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said it was a serious incident but told BBC radio that "the immediate danger appears to be over".
Yom Kippur is the most sacred day on the Jewish calendar when even many non-regular synagogue-goers take time to pray and all road traffic stops in Israel.
Britain suffered its second worst year in modern times for antisemitism in 2024 with more than 3,500 incidents being recorded, reflecting sustained levels of hatred towards Jews, the Community Security Trust, a charity that provides security to Jewish organisations and institutions across Britain, said earlier this year.
Emergency personnel at the scene of the attack in north Manchester. (Reuters: Phil Noble)
Reported levels of antisemitism rocketed to record levels in the wake of the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel and Israel's subsequent war in Gaza that has devastated the Palestinian enclave.
"This appears to be an appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year," the CST said on X.
ABC/Wires
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