Four people were injured on Thursday morning after a vehicle was driven into members of the public and a man was stabbed outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester. Armed officers shot a man believed to be the attacker at the scene, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.
GMP said officers were called shortly after 9:30 a.m. BST following reports that a car had been driven at people and that one man had been stabbed. Emergency services, including armed firearms officers and paramedics, attended; at least one person was taken to hospital. Police described the incident as a “major incident” while they secured the scene and began inquiries.
The attack took place during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, when many worshippers gather — a timing that prompted alarm and condemnation from community leaders and senior officials. Authorities activated Operation Plato, the national emergency protocol for a marauding or terrorist-style attack, although police said that designation does not necessarily mean the incident has been formally declared a terrorist offence.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer cut short a trip to return to London and chaired a COBR emergency meeting, while Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham urged people to avoid the area and said the immediate danger appeared to be over. The Community Security Trust — which monitors anti-Semitic incidents in the UK — warned of the heightened distress for the Jewish community at this time.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as emergency services converged on the area. Photographs from the scene showed a heavy police cordon and multiple emergency vehicles. Counter-terrorism police and other specialist units were reported to be involved in the investigation as officers worked to establish the motive and sequence of events.
At this stage, police have not released the identity of the man shot by officers or confirmed whether charges will be brought. GMP said the investigation is ongoing and asked anyone with information or footage of the incident to come forward to assist inquiries. British security services and local authorities said they would continue to review protective measures for places of worship.
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