SHOCKING footage shows the moment cops shot dead a suspected “terrorist” who launched a knife rampage at a synagogue.
Cops rushed to Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester this morning after reports that a man rammed a car into a crowd.
GettyFour people have been injured after a car was driven at members of the public[/caption]
Bystanders yelled ‘he’s got a bomb’
ReutersThe local community have been rocked by the horror[/caption]
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed two people died following the major incident.
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,” cops said.
“The bomb disposal unit has been called and is now at the scene.”
Footage from the scene appears to show a bystander say “he’s got a bomb” as cops urge members of the public to avoid the area.
In one video, an officer can be seen saying: “Every body else, if you’re not involved move back.
“Get away, somebody stay with the casualties.
“Everybody else, he has a bomb go away.”
The bystander then says: “He’s got a bomb on him.
“He’s going to blow himself up, he’s trying to press the button.”
Four people have been injured after a car was driven at members of the public and a man, believed to be a security guard, was stabbed outside the synagogue.
What we know so far…
Cops were called to Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Greater Manchester at 9.31am
A witness said a car was driven towards members of the public and a man had been stabbed
Police declared PLATO and a major incident at 9.37am
PLATO refers to the agreed national response protocol in the UK for a “marauding terrorist attack”
A man – believed to be the attacker – was shot 9.38am
Cops confirmed four people were injured by both the vehicle and stab wounds
Multiple hospitals ‘on lockdown’ after several injured in synagogue ‘terror attack’ & ‘knifeman’ shot
Injuries were caused by both the car and stab wounds.
Cops were called the scene in Crumpsall, north of Manchester, where a man – who is believed to be the offender – was shot by firearms officers at 9.38am. He did not manage to enter the building.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said “it is believed that the offender is deceased” and it is understood he was working alone.
An eyewitness has claimed the knifeman tried to force his way into the synagogue before he was shot by armed police.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, the delivery driver, who gave his name as Gareth, said: “We was just driving up the road, doing our normal deliveries.
“Next minute, we were held back in a little bit of traffic, and we could see a car had crashed. So we just thought it were a normal collision.
“We got a big closer. We seen a guy bleeding on the floor.
“And then, as we looked over, the guy had a knife, and he was just stabbing the window trying to get in the [synagogue].”
Greater Manchester Police declared PLATO and a major incident at 9.37am. PLATO means terrorism could be involved, but it is not yet confirmed.
A white lorry marked ‘Bomb Disposal’ arrived at the scene and went behind the cordon outside the synagogue.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer – who is flying back from Denmark early to chair Cobra – said: “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 services and all the first responders.”
The area around the synagogue in Crumpsall has been swamped by dozens of police vehicles, along with fire and ambulance crews, while the force helicopter hovers overhead.
Greater Manchester Police said: “Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, 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.
“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 9.41 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.”
The North West Ambulance Service said: “Following reports of an incident on Middleton Road in Crumpsall, the trust has dispatched resources to the scene.
“We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services.
“Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”
Story Picture AgencyPolice declared PLATO and a major incident at 9.37am[/caption]
Story Picture AgencyThe area has been swarmed with armed cops[/caption]
PAInjuries were caused by both the car and stab wounds.[/caption]
Mayor Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester people had gathered for a Yom Kippur service outside the synagogue.
He said: “It is believed that the offender is deceased, although it’s not confirmed.
“So, that’s what I meant in saying that a degree of reassurance can be given that it’s not a developing, an ongoing, incident.
“It would appear that it is contained, although, obviously, the scene is very much an active scene.”
The PM announced that that police presence is being stepped up at every synagogue across the country as a result of this morning’s incident.
Manchester Reform Synagogue said: “Yom Kippur services cancelled. Do not attend.
“There’s been an incident, police are in response, at another Manchester synagogue. For security reasons we are cancelling today’s services with immediate effect.”
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism.
Large numbers of Jewish people attend synagogues and fast on this day.
Policing Minister Sarah Jones said: “It’s an emerging situation. I’m being kept informed and our thoughts are with the people who have been injured, we need to let the police and other responders do their job.
“The Home Secretary and I are being kept informed of what’s happening.
“Our thoughts are with those people who we understand have been injured and of course, their families.
“This is an emerging situation, but in the coming hours and days we will want to make sure we’re doing absolutely everything we can to make sure our synagogues are safe and of course, Jewish people.
“Antisemitism has no place in our society, and we must make sure we’re protecting Jewish people against attacks.”
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
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