London [UK], October 2 : UK Secretary of State for the Home Department Shabana Mahmood has expressed her concern following the deadly attack outside a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
In a post on X, she wrote, "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 the emergency services," she added.
The attack took place in the Crumpsall area of Manchester, where a car was driven into members of the public and a man was stabbed. At least two people were killed, and three others remain in serious condition. Police confirmed that the suspected attacker was shot by armed officers and is believed to be dead.
Worshippers who were inside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue at the time were evacuated as emergency services responded to the scene.
Following the attack, Greater Manchester Police declared PLATO, a national code used when armed officers are deployed across the force in response to an ongoing attack, according to CNN.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced "additional police assets" will be deployed at synagogues across the country.
According to the local outlet, four hospitals in the local area are "on lockdown," following the attack.
"The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific," the Prime Minister said in a post on X. "My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected."
According to the UK news media, Starmer will cut short his trip to Copenhagen, where he was attending a security meeting of European leaders, to return to the UK and chair a session of the government's Cobra committee - a cross-departmental group convened during national emergencies.