Three dead after Manchester synagogue stabbing and car ramming attack - live updates

Two members of the public have died and three others are in critical condition after an attack outside a synagogue in Manchester. A car rammed into members of the public before the driver left the vehicle and began to stab people outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall.

The suspected attacker is also dead after being shot by firearms officers. There was a delay in confirming he was deceased due to safety issues surrounding suspicious items on his person.

A bomb disposal unit has carried out a controlled explosion at the scene as a precaution.

The incident happened during Jewish festival Yom Kippur, which is considered to be the holiest day of the Jewish year. It's understood people had gathered for a service outside Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue.

A major incident was declared by emergency services at 9.38am this morning. Counter terrorism officers and bomb disposal units are at the scene.

Security has been stepped up at synagogues across the country in light of the attack. Speaking before he flew back from Copenhagen to chair an emergency Cobra meeting on the incident, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "The attack in Manchester this morning is absolutely shocking, and all of our thoughts are with those affected.

"I am on my way back to London. When I arrive, I will chair an emergency Cobra meeting. I’m already able to say that additional police assets are being deployed to synagogues across the country, and we will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe."

Latest updates below: