Police issue crucial update on Manchester synagogue attack suspect

The suspect behind the deadly terrorist attack at a north Manchester synagogue did not appear in initial searches of counter-terror records, according to police.

He is not believed to have been under investigation prior to the attack. Further checks are now being carried out to see if any of his details appeared elsewhere in records of other investigations.

The update comes as the Jewish community reels from this morning's attack that left two people dead and four others with serious injuries. Officers were alerted to reports of an ramming-and-knife attack at Heaton Park synagogue at about 9:31am.

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Just seven minutes later, the suspect was shot dead by an armed officer. Investigators were concerned the suspect was wearing an explosive device around his waist, though it later emerged this was "not viable".

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said the attacker was wearing “a vest which had the appearance of an explosive device”.

He said: "At this time, we know that a car was driven directly at members of the public outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Middleton Road, Crumpsall in Manchester. The driver of the car was seen then to attack people with a knife. He was wearing about his body a vest which had the appearance of an explosive device."

Speaking outside New Scotland Yard following the attack, the Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: "This morning, an appalling attack took place in Crumpsall in Manchester. Two people have died. The attacker has been shot dead by the police.

"We believe we know their identity, but for safety reasons at the scene, we’re unable to confirm at this stage. Three other members of the public are in a serious condition. We have also made two further arrests, and based on what we know, counter terrorism policing has declared this as a terrorist incident."

Two people have been arrested over the attack at the synagogue, Taylor said. Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester slammed the terrorist attack on a synagogue as "an horrific anti-Semitic attack on our Jewish friends and neighbours."

He continued: "Tonight, our first thoughts are with the families of those people who died, those injured and those traumatised by this, an horrific anti-Semitic attack on our Jewish friends and neighbours. We condemn it outright.

"Greater Manchester will never stand aside when one of our communities is attacked. We ask everyone to show solidarity to the Jewish community this weekend, and already, we’ve mobilised through our interfaith network messages of support and solidarity through places of worship."