TWO people have been killed following a terror attack at a synagogue in Manchester, police have confirmed.
The attack, which police have now declared a "terrorist incident", occurred at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall on Thursday morning, about four miles from Manchester city centre.
The suspect has been shot by armed police and has now been confirmed as dead.
A man believed to be a security guard was attacked with a knife outside the synagogue and a car was driven at members of the public.
The Met’s head of counter terrorism policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor confirmed on Thursday afternoon that two people have been arrested over the attack.
Greater Manchester Police said: “We can confirm two people have died following the major incident outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, Middleton Road, Crumpsall.
The force added: "The bomb disposal unit has been called and is now at the scene.
“Three other members of the public remain in a serious condition.
"A large number of people worshipping at the synagogue at the time of the incident were held inside while the immediate area was made safe, but have since been evacuated."
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has cut a visit to Denmark short to chair a Cobra meeting, says "additional police assets" will be deployed at synagogues across the country after the attack.
The incident came on Yom Kippur - the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar.
Police responded just after 9.30am on Thursday to reports of a car driving towards members of the public, and a man stabbed. The man who was stabbed is believed to be a security guard.
Minutes later, Greater Manchester Police had declared a major incident and a man, believed to be the offender, was shot.
Police said they declared "Plato" moments after first hearing about the incident.
Operation Plato is a set of responses by the emergency services to large-scale incidents including "marauding terrorist attacks".
