Two people have died and three members of the public are in a serious condition after an attack on a synagogue in Manchester.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham condemned what he described as a ‘vile attack’ on the city’s Jewish community on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
‘We condemn whoever is responsible and will do everything within our power to keep people safe,’ he wrote on social media.
‘We stand with GM’s [Greater Manchester] Jewish community at this time and will work through the day to support them.’
Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig said: 'We are all horrified by this shocking and reprehensible attack on members of Manchester’s Jewish community, on their holiest day.
'Our thoughts are with those who have been killed and seriously injured, their loved ones and with everyone who has been affected by this awful 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.’
