Manchester synagogue stabbing: Armed cops shoot man after Heaton Park attack

A man has been shot after a car ramming incident and a stabbing at a synagogue in Manchester.

Several officers, including armed police, were deployed after a major incident at the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester this morning.

The attack comes as Jews observe the festival of Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, which is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar during which time Jews gather at synagogues to pray.

Greater Manchester Police responded to a call from a member of the public who saw a man driving towards pedestrians at 9.31am. Police rushed to the scene and had shot the attacker by 9.38am, the force said.

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Four people in total have been injured, with just one of those injuries linked to the stabbing, police said. The suspect's condition is currently unknown, though he is understood to still be alive, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The force declared it a PLATO incident, which means it could be terrorism-related. However, they are yet to confirm this is the case.

A spokesperson for GMP said: "We’re responding to an incident outside a synagogue on Middleton Road in Manchester.

"Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 9.31am by a member of the public, stating he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public and one man had been stabbed.

"GMP declared PLATO and a major incident at 9.37am. Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 9.38am. One man has been shot, believed to be the offender."

"Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41 and are tending to members of the public, currently four members of the public with injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds", the statement adds.

"Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while the police continue to deal with the incident."

Sir Keir Starmer has spoken out on the "horrific attack". He said: "The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific."

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham was speaking to the BBC at the time of the incident.

He said: "It's a serious incident I have to say. I would say to people to avoid the area because it's a serious incident but at the same time I can give some reassurance that the immediate danger appears to be over and GMP have dealt with it very quickly with some amazing support from members of the public and security at the location.

"The situation has been dealt with very effectively by GMP and those on-site."

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