Two men from Birmingham and Manchester arrested over Texas synagogue attack

Greater Manchester Police say two men have been arrested in Birmingham and Manchester as part of the investigation into the Texas synagogue attack.

44 year old Malik Faisal Akram, from Blackburn, was shot dead when the US authorities went into the building on the 15th January following a stand-off. The hostages were released unharmed while US President Joe Biden branded the incident "an act of terror".

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: "Officers from Counter-Terror Policing North West continue to support US authorities with their investigation into the events in Texas.

"As a result of this ongoing investigation, two men have been arrested this morning in Birmingham and Manchester.

"They remain in custody for questioning.

"CTP North West officers continue to liaise with and support colleagues from other forces.

"Communities defeat terrorism and the help and support we get from the public is a vital part of that."

Two teenagers arrested in Manchester following the incident were released without charge on Tuesday.

Following the attack, it emerged that Akram was investigated by MI5 in 2020 but deemed not to be a credible threat to national security at the time.

According to reports, he stayed at a homeless shelter and is believed to have bought a gun on the street before taking four people hostage at the synagogue, one of whom was released after around six hours.

Greater Manchester Police are urging everyone to remain vigilant, and for anyone with information to get in touch with them. People can do that via the anti-terrorist hotline or gov.uk/ACT