Four people were injured and a suspected knifeman was shot by police on Thursday following a car ramming and stabbing incident outside a synagogue in Manchester.
Greater Manchester Police declared a “major incident” at around 9:30 am (0830 GMT) after officers were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall area of the city.
According to police, “currently four members of the public with injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds” were being treated by paramedics.
“Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 9:38 am. One man has been shot, believed to be the offender,” the force confirmed in a statement.
The incident, which took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, occurred just days before the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “appalled by the attack,” adding, “The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific. My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services and all the first responders.”
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham described it as a “serious incident” but assured the public that “the immediate danger appears to be over,” praising the swift response of police, security, and members of the public.
Police confirmed that Operation Plato, the UK’s national protocol for responding to marauding terrorist attacks, had been activated, ensuring a multi-agency response to protect lives.
The Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors antisemitic incidents in the UK, said it was working closely with police and thanked security officials and officers who “responded immediately to deal with the incident.”
The North West Ambulance Service said it had dispatched resources to the scene, stressing that “our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”
What you should know
The attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester left four injured before police shot the suspected attacker.
Coming on Yom Kippur, the incident has heightened concerns within the Jewish community amid rising tensions linked to the Gaza conflict. Authorities are treating the case with the highest security protocols under Operation Plato.
