Two people and suspect dead following attack outside Manchester synagogue
Greater Manchester Police are on the scene of the attack in Crumpsall
Last updated 2nd Oct 2025
Two people have died in a suspected terror attack outside a synagogue in Crumpsall Greater Manchester Police have said.
A third person, a man believed to be the attacker, has been shot dead by armed officers.
Police originally said they were unable to confirm his condition due to safety issues around "suspicious devices on his person", but have since released an update to confirm he is deceased.
A bomb disposal unit is at the scene on Middleton Road, with a large cordon in place around the area.
Three other members of the public remain in a serious condition.
What happened outside synagogue in Crumpsall?
Greater Manchester Police said it was called to an incident in Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 09:31BST on Thursday morning (02 October).
Armed officers arrived on the scene at 09:37, around six minutes later, and a suspect was shot.
Police said it had "declared Plato" - the national code-word used by police and emergency services when responding to a "marauding terror attack".
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.
A white lorry marked "bomb disposal" later arrived at the scene, and went behind 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 4x4 vehicles and vans carrying plain clothes officers with face coverings were seen leaving the area of the incident at speed.
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said resources had been sent to the scene.
In a statement, NWAS said: "Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible."
The reported stabbings come 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 (CST) - a charity that monitors antisemitism in the UK, said the day is similar to Christmas Day for Christians, but is a day of solemnity and fasting rather than celebration.
He 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."
Prime Minister to chair COBRA meeting
The Prime Minister is set to fly home early from a meeting of European leaders in Denmark in order to chair a Cobra meeting following the incident.
Sir Keir Starmer said he was "appalled" at 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."
Speaking before chairing 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."
King issues statement, alongside local leaders
The King said: "My wife and I have been deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services."
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said "Today we have witnessed a vile attack on our Jewish community on its holiest day.
"We condemn whoever is responsible and will do everything within our power to keep people safe.
"We stand with GM’s Jewish community at this time and will work through the day to support them."
In a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, local Labour MP Graham Stringer said he knew Mancunians would come together.
He said: "It's a dreadful attack designed to damage the Jewish community and damage inter-faith and inter-community relationships.
"I know that Mancunians will come together to make sure that villains like this do not damage our very tolerant city.
"I know the synagogue well and I know the people in the synagogue. I have lived within a stone's throw of that synagogue for most of my adult life and I think it's appalling.
"I know, like after the Manchester Arena attack, people will come together."