Two people killed in suspected terror attack outside UK synagogue; suspect believed to be dead after being shot by police

"Greater Manchester Police said it was called to an incident in Middleton Road, Crumpsall, on Thursday where a man - who is believed to be the offender - was shot by firearms officers. Police said they could not confirm if the suspect was dead "due to safety issues surrounding suspicious items on his person." A bomb disposal unit has been called and is now at the scene."

"Police said it had "declared Plato" - the national code-word used by police and emergency services when responding to a "marauding terror attack". Footage shared on social media appeared to show members of the public shouting to firearms officers that the suspect had a bomb strapped to him. A white lorry marked "bomb disposal" later arrived at the scene and went behind the cordon outside the synagogue."

Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester, was the scene of an attack in which a car was driven at members of the public and a man was stabbed outside the building. Greater Manchester Police were called to Middleton Road at 9.31am and declared a major incident at 9.37am; firearms officers shot a man believed to be the offender. Police could not confirm whether the suspect was dead because of safety concerns about suspicious items on his person. A bomb disposal unit and a white lorry marked "bomb disposal" attended and the national codeword "Plato" for a marauding terror attack was declared.

Read at Irish Independent