Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said he is "appalled" by a knife attack at a Manchester synagogue today. Two people have died and a man has been shot by armed police after a car was driven at pedestrians and a person was stabbed in a suspected terror attack outside a synagogue on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
Greater Manchester Police said three others are in a serious condition following the attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road in Crumpsall on Thursday morning. The force confirmed a bomb disposal unit was sent to the scene after footage shared on social media appeared to show members of the public shouting to firearms officers that the suspect had a bomb strapped to him.
Police said the suspect is believed to be dead after shots were fired by armed police at 9.38am. But the force said that "cannot currently be confirmed due to safety issues surround suspicious items on his person".
Greater Manchester Police said it had "declared Plato" - the national code-word used by police and emergency services when responding to a "marauding terror attack". A white lorry marked "bomb disposal" later arrived at the scene, and went behind the cordon outside the synagogue.
In response to the incident, Mayor Rotheram said: "I am appalled by today's attack at a Manchester synagogue, on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The thoughts of the whole Liverpool City Region are with all those affected and their loved ones."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was "absolutely shocked" by the attack in Manchester and "additional police assets are being deployed to synagogues across the country".
Speaking before he flew back from Copenhagen to chair an emergency Cobra meeting on the incident, he said: "The attack in Manchester this morning is absolutely shocking, and all of our thoughts are with those affected.
"I am on my way back to London. When I arrive, I will chair an emergency Cobra meeting. I'm already able to say that additional police assets are being deployed to synagogues across the country, and we will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe.
"I've spoken to Mark Gardner of the CST [Community Security Trust], and Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester.
"I want to thank the emergency services for the speed of their response."
Posting on Bluesky, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: "Horrified and appalled by the attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
"My thoughts are with the victims, our brave emergency services and the entire Jewish community."
In a statement posted on X, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "I am horrified by the news of an attack at a synagogue in Manchester today, on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
"My first thoughts are with the victims, our brave police and emergency services.
"I am being kept updated by Greater Manchester Police. I urge people to follow the advice of the emergency services."