Update in relation to ongoing major incident on Middleton Road in Crumpsall
In response to today’s major incident in Crumpsall, a loud noise was heard at the scene as specialist resources gained entry to the suspect’s vehicle as a precaution.
There is no risk to the public and ongoing activity in relation to this major incident can be expected as we continue our enquiries.
People are urged to avoid the area and speak to our officers if they have any concerns. We have officers deployed across key sites in the local area.
We can confirm three people have died, including the offender, who was shot by GMP Firearms officers.
If you are worried about family or friends who may be involved in today’s incident at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, you can call the Casualty Bureau on 0800 056 0154 or complete the online form here: Public Portal
12:10pm
Greater Manchester Police can confirm two people have died following the major incident outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, Middleton Road, Crumpsall.
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 surround 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.
A large number of people worshipping at the synagogue at the time of the incident, were held inside while the immediate area was made safe but have since been evacuated.
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.
@gbnews Three people have died, including a suspect, after an attack at a Manchester synagogue. Greater Manchester Police has confirmed two members of the public have died following the incident at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Middleton Road, Crumpsall this morning. #BreakingNews #Manchester #uknews #GBNews
Casualty Bureau online portal lines now open at 12.30pm.
If you are worried about family or friends who may be involved in today’s incident at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, Middleton Road, Crumpsall, you can call the Casualty Bureau on 0800 056 0154 or complete the online form here: Public Portal
If you were involved in today’s incident and are safe, please make a report online. If you are safe please also let friends and family know. This will assist with information assessment and relieve pressure on Casualty Bureau who may receive a high volume of contact from the public.
If you have any other information that may assist the police investigation or took photos or videos of the incident, please contact us on the same, above details.
Casualty Bureau is to report someone believed to be involved in the incident, to cancel someone previously reported, or to provide any offers of assistance or information in relation to the incident. We cannot provide any information to you about the incident.
Casualty Bureau is not for general enquiries. Call 999 in an emergency only.
Manchester Synagogue Attack: 6 Minutes of Terror on Yom Kippur
On the morning of October 2, 2025, the serene observance of Yom Kippur—the holiest day in the Jewish calendar—was shattered at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, a northern suburb of Manchester, UK. What unfolded in a mere seven minutes between 9:31 AM and 9:38 AM has been described as a “6 minutes of terror,” leaving two worshippers dead, three others seriously injured, and the local Jewish community reeling from an act of antisemitic violence declared a terrorist incident by authorities. Security cameras and eyewitness accounts captured the harrowing sequence, including an inexplicable moment that underscored the rapid escalation and the suspect’s apparent intent to cause maximum harm.
The attack began at precisely 9:31 AM when Greater Manchester Police received emergency calls reporting a car being driven erratically toward members of the public outside the synagogue on Middleton Road. Worshippers had gathered for the Yom Kippur service, which commenced at 9:00 AM, a time of atonement and reflection marked by fasting and prayer. A neighbor, Chava Lewin, recounted hearing a “banging sound” she initially mistook for a firework. She spoke to another witness who described seeing the vehicle swerve wildly before crashing into the synagogue gates. “She thought maybe he had a heart attack,” Lewin told the Manchester Evening News. “The second he got out of the car, he started stabbing anyone near him. He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue.”
The suspect, later identified as 35-year-old British citizen Jihad Al-Shamie of Syrian descent, emerged from the crashed vehicle dressed in black and armed with a knife. Eyewitnesses described him as acting “robotic,” methodically targeting individuals, particularly those wearing kippahs, symbols of Jewish faith. A delivery driver named Gareth, who was nearby, initially thought it was a routine car accident until he saw the man bleeding on the ground and the attacker stabbing at the synagogue windows in an attempt to gain entry. “He was just stabbing the window trying to get in,” Gareth told BBC Radio Manchester. “Within seconds the police arrived.”
Screams echoed through the area as the assailant stabbed a security guard and at least two others, killing two men in the process. The victims included worshippers and possibly the heroic security guard who helped prevent the attacker from breaching the main doors. Rabbi Daniel Walker is credited with calmly leading the congregation to safety after prayers had begun, barricading the entrance against the intruder’s efforts. Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson praised the bravery of the security staff and worshippers, noting that their actions stopped the attacker from entering the building where dozens were gathered.
By 9:34 AM, reports intensified with mentions of the security guard being attacked, prompting the deployment of firearms officers. At 9:37 AM, police declared a major incident and activated Operation Plato, a protocol for marauding terrorist attacks involving coordinated armed response. The climax came at 9:38 AM when officers fired shots, fatally striking Al-Shamie as he lay on the ground outside the gates. Video footage circulating on social media, geolocated to the scene, captured armed officers shouting warnings to bystanders: “He has a bomb. Go away!” as the suspect attempted to rise, only to be shot again. This moment— the suspect’s failed attempt to detonate what appeared to be an explosive vest—stands out as the inexplicable terror captured on security cameras. The device was later confirmed to be non-viable, but its presence escalated the threat, evoking fears of a suicide bombing.
Paramedics arrived at 9:41 AM, treating the injured amid a scene of chaos: a black car wedged against the gates, blood pooling on the sidewalk, and bodies lying motionless. Three individuals remain in custody on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism, suggesting possible accomplices. London’s Metropolitan Police, handling UK counterterrorism, has taken over the investigation.
The attack has ignited widespread condemnation and grief. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a “horrific” act, while Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar blamed the British government’s tolerance of antisemitic incitement, including pro-Palestine protests and campus unrest. Jewish organizations like the American Jewish Committee decried it as part of an “escalating wave of antisemitic violence” in Europe, urging zero tolerance. On X (formerly Twitter), reactions ranged from solidarity—”Am Yisrael Chai”—to outrage over perceived political hypocrisy, with some linking it to broader Islamist threats or criticizing synagogues’ Zionist affiliations. Reports emerged of riots in the UK and endorsements of the attack by fringe voices, amplifying fears.
This incident occurs amid rising antisemitism in the UK, with 35% of British Jews feeling unsafe in 2025, up from 9% in 2023, exacerbated by global tensions post-Hamas attacks. Police have bolstered security at synagogues nationwide, but community leaders warn of an exodus, with Jews questioning their safety. As investigations continue, the Manchester attack serves as a stark reminder of vulnerability during sacred moments, captured in those fateful minutes on camera—an inexplicable bid for mass casualty that was thwarted but at great human cost.
