Police respond to reports of 'stabbing' at Manchester synagogue as suspect shot and four people injured

A suspect has been shot and four people have been injured following a reported stabbing at a synagogue on the outskirts of Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police said the incident occurred on Thursday morning at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Middleton Road, Crumpsall.

Some injuries were caused by a vehicle driven towards members of the public, the force said.

The North West Ambulance Service is on the scene.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said the “immediate danger appears to be over”.

A police spokesperson said: “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 9.41am and are tending to members of the public, currently four members of the public with injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds.

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

Dave Rich of the Community Security Trust, a charity that monitors antisemitism in the UK, said the incident happened on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year.

Mr Rich said: “[Yom Kippur] is 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.”

In terms of importance in the religious year he said it is similar to Christmas Day for Christians, but is a day of solemnity and fasting rather than celebration.