LIVE UPDATES: Suspect shot as police responding to stabbing outside Heaton Park Synagogue

Police have declared a major incident after a man drove a car towards members of the public outside a synagogue in Crumpsall this morning.

Officers were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road 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.

Firearms officers were deployed at 9:34am as police continued to receive further reports from members of the public that a security guard had been attacked with a knife. GMP declared 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, the force haven't confirmed the details around his condition. 

North West Ambulance Service have confirmed they have sent multiple resources to the scene. 

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. 

Live updates on this incident will follow in our live blog below: 

Cllr Eamonn, Leader of Bury Council has spoken about the attack in Manchester today:

“We are saddened and shocked by the tragic deaths and the horrific incident at the synagogue in Crumpsall today on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

“It goes beyond words that residents, going out about their day to day lives should have been killed and injured in this way.

"Please be assured we are working closely with Greater Manchester Police and other partners and with community leaders in response to the incident as this borders our borough. As a borough we have strong links with our Jewish community living across the area.

"Our thanks go out to all the emergency services for their quick response and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those killed and we pray that those injured do recover.”

A statement from the leader of the council, Councillor Neil Emmott, following the attack in Crumpsall earlier today. pic.twitter.com/ui0UioG1g8

— Rochdale Borough Council (@RochdaleCouncil) October 2, 2025

A loud controlled explosion has just been heard at the police cordon in Crumpsall, the BBC are reporting. 

The bomb disposal unit are understood to be at the scene.

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. 🙏🏻

— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) October 2, 2025

The King has released a statement: "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."

This morning's attack is absolutely shocking.

I’m on my way back to London to chair an emergency meeting, and additional police assets are being deployed to synagogues across the country.

We will do everything we can to keep our Jewish community safe. pic.twitter.com/bNUfGbWwfq

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 2, 2025

A North West Ambulance Service spokesperson said in an update, just after midday: "We have responded to an incident at a synagogue on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, following a 999 call at 09.33 on Thursday, 2 October.

"It was reported that a car had been driven towards members of the public and multiple people had been stabbed.

"Due to the nature of the incident and the potential number of casualties, we declared a major incident and dispatched a large number of ambulances and specialist resources to the scene, including the Hazardous Area Response Team, air ambulance, doctors, advanced paramedics, and operational commanders.

"Our crews treated patients at the scene and transported four patients with serious injuries to hospital. Our resources remain on scene to support the ongoing response to the incident."

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “We know today’s horrifying attack, on the Jewish community’s holiest day, will have caused significant shock and fear throughout all of our communities.

“We are grateful to the member of the public whose quick response to what they witnessed allowed our swift action, and as a result the offender was prevented from entering the synagogue.

“We remain in direct contact with all synagogues across Greater Manchester to provide reassurance and this will continue for as long as needed.

“We will continue to provide updates as we can, but I would ask anyone who believes they may have a loved one involved in today’s incident, please use the Casualty Bureau information in the first instance.

“I would further ask anyone who may have images or footage relating to today’s incident, refrains from circulating them on social media – please do share directly with GMP through http://www.ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk/.”

Police have confirmed two people have died following the major incident outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.

A third person, a man believed to be the offender, was shot by GMP Firearms Officers and is also believed to be deceased.

It cannot currently be confirmed due to safety issues surrounding suspicious items on his person. The bomb disposal unit has been called and is now at the scene.

Three other members of the public remain in a serious condition.

Bury South MP, Christian Wakeford has posted on social media saying:

"Aware of this incident and in direct communication with GMP - I’m getting more details as they’re released.

For this to happen on Yom Kippur is horrendous, my thoughts and prayers are with those affected, I know how worried my Jewish community will be regarding this attack." 

Horrified and appalled by the attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

My thoughts are with the victims, our brave emergency services and the entire Jewish community.

— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) October 2, 2025

Graham Stringer, Labour MP for Blackley and Middleton South, has called for ‘Mancunians to come together’ in the wake of the incident.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “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.”

In the wake of the incident, mayor Andy Burnham said the incident is ‘under as much control as possible’. He added: “The risks of further harm to the public are reduced but not removed.

“I have a significant role in reassuring all of our communities but particularly the Jewish community and have been living with a higher state of anxiety because of the times we live in.

“What I can say as police have the closest of relationships with the community security trust there to protect the community.

“We think of them and their families as they recover from this incident.”

Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood has made the following statement:  

I am horrified by the news of an attack at a synagogue in Manchester today, on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

My first thoughts are with the victims, our brave police and emergency services.

I am being kept updated by @gmpolice. I urge people to follow the advice of…

— Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) October 2, 2025

Operation Plato is the national code-word used by police and emergency services when responding to a "marauding terror attack". 

 Community Security Trust (CST) is the charity that protects British Jews from terrorism and antisemitism.

CST is working with police and the local Jewish community following a serious incident at a synagogue in north Manchester.

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… https://t.co/zZXZW2rWW4

— CST (@CST_UK) October 2, 2025

 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is returning from Copenhagen to deal with this incident

I’m appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall.

The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific.

My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency…

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 2, 2025