MI5 and counter-terror police on heightened alert after synagogue attack

"MI5 and counter-terrorism police will operate at a heightened state of alert in the coming weeks, reflecting concern that the Manchester synagogue attack risks being followed by others during a period that includes the second anniversary of the 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel. Policing at synagogues across the country is to be increased. The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, promised high visibility patrols in and outside Jewish places of worship to reassure communities and to deter any further threats,"

"Investigations into the attack remain at an early stage, though the central theory is that the killer, who was shot dead by police, had an Islamist motivation. There is no information in the public domain about whether he may have been radicalised by the continued Israeli military campaign and deaths of Palestinians in Gaza. The attack, at around 9.30am at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, which killed two and seriously injured four others, was not sophisticated."

MI5 and counter-terrorism police will operate at a heightened state of alert amid concern the Manchester synagogue attack could be followed by others around the second anniversary of 7 October. Policing at synagogues will be increased with high-visibility patrols. The attacker was shot dead after a stabbing at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Crumpsall that killed two and seriously injured four on the last day of Yom Kippur; devices that appeared explosive were fake. Investigations are at an early stage; the central theory is Islamist motivation and officials note the Israel-Gaza war has altered the threat environment toward individual online radicalisation.

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