Extra police protection has been sent to UK synagogues after the Manchester knife attack, Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed.
Greater Manchester Police said two people have died and three people are seriously injured, after a car was driven at pedestrians and a person was stabbed outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall on Thursday morning.
The offender is also believed to be dead, having been shot by police, but this cannot be confirmed due to “suspicious items” on his body, with the bomb squad investigating.
The incident took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jews.
Manchester synagogue attack: Find the latest updates here
As events unfolded, the prime minister left a meeting of European leaders in Copenhagen, Denmark, to chair an emergency Cobra meeting in the UK.
Emergency services and cordons at the scene. Pic: Reuters
The attack took place in Crumpsall
Speaking to broadcasters on the tarmac in Copenhagen before getting on to a plane, Sir Keir said: “The attack in Manchester this morning is absolutely shocking and all of our thoughts are with those affected.
“I’m on my way back to London, and 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 and Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, and I want to thank the emergency services for the speed of their response.”
CST members at the scene of the Manchester synagogue attack. Pic: PA
The CST is the Community Security Trust, a charity that provides “security, safety and advice to the Jewish community”.
In a statement, the group said: “CST is working with police and the local Jewish community following a serious incident at a synagogue in north Manchester.
“This appears to be an appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year.
“We thank the GMP officers and synagogue security who responded immediately to deal with the incident.”
Read more:
Man shot by police on Yom Kippur
Mr Burnham said one of the victims in the incident appeared to be a security guard, adding: “Some of the security used by our colleagues in the Jewish community has really played a role here in preventing it being a worse situation.”
Politicians from across the spectrum have condemned the attack.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch branded it “vile and disgusting”, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said he was “horrified and appalled”, and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said his “thoughts and prayers” were with those affected and their families.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said the Metropolitan Police is “stepping up patrols in Jewish communities and synagogues across London”.
