Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned that "malign and dark forces running amok across our country" following Thursday's attack on a Manchester synagogue. She said the incident raises deep questions about community relations in the UK, with antisemitism and other forms of hatred on the rise.
The attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall targeted worshippers on Yom Kippur, Judaism's holiest day. Jihad Al-Shamie (35), who was on bail for alleged rape, was shot dead by police as he launched a car and knife attack on the place of worship.
Two men died trying to prevent the attack. Adrian Daulby (53) is believed to have been shot dead by police while attempting to stop Al-Shamie from entering the synagogue. Melvin Cravitz (66), a worshipper from Crumpsall, also lost his life helping to prevent the attacker from entering the premises.
Investigation continues
Counter Terrorism Policing North West continues to lead the investigation with significant resources deployed. Four people arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts remain in custody after police secured warrants on Saturday to extend detention for five more days.
The arrests include two men aged 30 and 32 and a woman aged 61 from Prestwich, plus a 46-year-old woman from Farnworth. Two other people arrested in Farnworth - an 18-year-old woman and 43-year-old man - were released without further action on Saturday night.
Political response
Mahmood acknowledged the Jewish community had repeatedly warned about dangers they faced. She told BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: "I am, of course, as devastated as anyone else at what has happened here in Manchester on Thursday - feel tremendous grief for not just the people of our Jewish community, but for our national community as well." On Times Radio, she acknowledged "wider, societal issues around the pace of migration and integration" but cautioned against conflating these with the Manchester attack.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch visited the synagogue on Saturday alongside Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Assistant Chief Constable John Webster. She argued Jewish people in the UK need greater security, noting some are "leaving to go to Israel" and asking: "Israel is at war. How can people be leaving the UK to go to a war zone and think that they'll be safer there?"
Ongoing impacts
Three men remain hospitalised with serious injuries, including a security guard with car-impact injuries and a Community Security Trust worker with stab wounds. The police watchdog is examining the use of lethal force by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers, including whether police may have contributed to Daulby's death.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
