Two people have died following an attack outside a synagogue in Manchester.
A bomb disposal unit is at the scene, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has said.
GMP said officers had been called to Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the north Manchester district of Crumpsall after a witness said they had seen a car driven at members of the public and that one man, believed to be a security guard, had been stabbed.
Two people have since been confirmed dead and three others were in a serious condition.
The suspect was also believed to be dead but police said it could not be confirmed "due to safety issues surrounding suspicious items on his person".
Police said it had "declared Plato" – the national code-word used by police and emergency services when responding to a "marauding terror attack".
In a statement, the force 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."
A video shared on social media and verified by Reuters showed police shooting a man inside the synagogue's perimeter, while another man lay on the floor in a pool of blood, appearing to wear a traditional Jewish head covering.
The force said it declared a major incident at 9.37am this morning.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was "appalled" at the attack adding: "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 will fly home early from a meeting of European leaders to chair a Cobra meeting following the attack at a synagogue in Greater Manchester, it is understood.
A Cobra meeting is a high-level government meeting on coordinating a response to a national crises.
While Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said the "immediate danger appears to be over" after reports of a "serious incident" in Crumpsall, north of the city.
Offender believed to be shot - Manchester police
The Greater Manchester Police statement continued: "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 9.41am and are tending to members of the public.
"Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while the police continue to deal with the incident."
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said resources had been sent to the scene.
In a statement, NWAS said: "Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible."
The reported stabbings come as members of the Jewish community observe Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar and is a time when synagogues are usually particularly busy.
Dave Rich, of the Community Security Trust (CST) – a charity that monitors antisemitism in the UK, said the day is similar to Christmas Day for Christians, but is a day of solemnity and fasting rather than celebration.
He said: "Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year.
"It's a very solemn day and synagogues across the country will be full throughout the day.
"There’s always a significant security operation in place between police and CST across the Jewish community on all major Jewish festivals."
King Charles said he and the queen were "deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community".
Home Secretary 'horrified by news of attack'
In a statement posted on X, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "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 Greater Manchester Police. I urge people to follow the advice of the emergency services."
'Abhorrent and deeply distressing' - Israeli embassy in London
The Israeli embassy in London condemned the attack, calling the act which left two people dead "abhorrent and deeply distressing" in a social media post.
Additional reporting by Reuters
