Four people have been injured after a car was driven at members of the public and a man was stabbed outside a synagogue before the suspect was shot by police.
Officers were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue at 9.31am today on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
A major incident has been declared by the police and ambulance service and police said it had ‘declared Plato’ – the national code-word used by police and emergency services when responding to a ‘marauding terror attack’.
Footage shows a suspect lying on the ground outside the synagogue as armed police aim their guns at him. Moments later, the suspect begins trying to get up before bullets ring out and he slumps back down.
Manchester Major Andy Burnham said ‘it is believed’ the offender was dead, but told the BBC, this ‘is not confirmed’.
He added: ‘I can give some assurance that the immediate danger appears to be over.’ He said the incident was dealt with ‘effectively’ by police and emergency responders.
The man stabbed was a security guard, according to reports.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: ‘Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 9.31am by a member of the public, stating he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public and one man had been stabbed.’
The force said it declared a major incident at 9.37am.
The statement continued: ‘Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 9.38am.
‘One man has been shot, believed to be the offender. Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41am and are tending to members of the public.
‘(There are) currently four members of the public with injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds.
‘Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while the police continue to deal with the incident.’
Footage shows a suspect lying on the ground outside the synagogue as armed police aim their guns at him. Moments later, the suspect begins trying to get up before bullets ring out
Police are at the scene on Middleton Road this morning, with the road closed between Wilton Road and Crumpsall Lane
A car pictured at the scene today
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The area around the synagogue has been swamped by dozens of police vehicles, along with fire and ambulance crews, while the force helicopter hovers over-head.
Streets surrounding the synagogue has been cordoned off with more police cars and vans, sirens blaring, racing down neighbouring roads.
Police officers dressed in black combat fatigues and carrying machine guns could also be seen inside the cordon outside the synagogue.
A Jewish man, among a group of shocked onlookers at the cordon, said his wife and daughter and other members of the congregation were still inside the synagogue.
A number of black, unmarked police 4×4 vehicles and vans carrying plain clothes officers with face coverings were seen leaving the area of the incident at speed.
A Jewish man said: ‘It is the holiest day of the year and we get this. There is no place for Jews in Britain anymore. It’s over.’
Locals are being urged to avoid the scene on Middleton Road, while the road is closed between Wilton Road and Crumpsall Lane.
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said resources had been sent to the scene.
A spokesman said: ‘Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.’
It comes as members of the Jewish community observe Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar and is a time when synagogues are usually particularly busy.
Dave Rich of the Community Security Trust, a charity that monitors antisemitism in the UK, said: ‘Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year.
‘It’s a very solemn day and synagogues across the country will be full throughout the day.
‘There’s always a significant security operation in place between police and CST across the Jewish community on all major Jewish festivals.’
In terms of importance in the religious year he said it is similar to Christmas Day for Christians, but is a day of solemnity and fasting rather than celebration.
