Manchester synagogue stabbing declared terrorist attack as two arrests confirmed

Police have confirmed that this morning's horrific incident at a Manchester synagogue that left two people dead has been classified as a terrorist attack.

Emergency services were called early this morning after reports were made of a car driving into crowds close to a synagogue on Middleton Road in north Manchester.

It was then suggested that a member of the public had been stabbed, with two people later confirmed to be dead, while Manchester mayor Andy Burnham suggested that the attacker was also believed to be dead after being shot by police.

Footage captured on the scene showed police shouting to members of the public that the attacker had a bomb, and that was later destroyed in a controlled explosion by a disposal unit.

Speaking at a press conference shortly after 3pm on 2 October, Counter Terror Police confirmed that two other people have been arrested, while also classifying it as a terror attack.

Head of counter terrorism policing assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor 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.

“We believe we know their identity, but for safety reasons at the scene, we’re unable to confirm at this stage.

“Three other members of the public are in a serious condition. We have also made two further arrests, and based on what we know, counter terrorism policing has declared this as a terrorist incident.”

Taylor added: “Those who have been killed injured at the forefront of our minds as are their families, friends, and all of those who love them.”

Members of the local Jewish community were left shocked after this morning's tragic events (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Prime minister Keir Starmer was quick to condemn that after news of the attack first broke.

He said: "The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific."

Counter terrorism police are working with local officers in Greater Manchester to investigate the attack further.

King Charles has also released a statement, saying that he and the Queen were 'deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community'.

A bomb disposal robot was called to deal with a suspicious device, which saw the attacker shot dead by police (PAUL CURRIE/AFP via Getty Images)

Taylor also confirmed that police forces would be stepping up patrols at synagogues and Jewish sites across the country following this morning's act of terrorism.

He added: “Communities across the UK that would normally be marking this holy day are now grieving and worried about their safety. And I want to be clear, UK policing is mobilising and is mobilising fast.

“Police forces are stepping up patrols across the country at synagogues and Jewish sites and more widely, to provide reassurance to all those communities who have been affected by this incident.

“At counter terrorism police, we’re deploying all of our capabilities in response to what has happened, and we have resources from across our network involved.

“We will ensure every piece of intelligence and line of inquiry is interrogated.

“We’re working closely with the security services to ensure we have a full intelligence picture in the coming days and weeks following events in Crumpsall today.

“I’d also like to ask the public to remain vigilant. Please report anything that doesn’t feel right to the police, and be alert to what is happening in your own communities.”