Manchester synagogue terror attack victims named

The victims of Thursday's terror attack outside a synagogue in Manchester have been named as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66. The pair were killed in the car and knife attack outside the the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Yom Kippur - the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it believes Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was responsible. The 35-year-old was shot dead at the scene by armed police, seven minutes after officers were alerted to the attack on Thursday morning. It is believed that Al-Shamie's name has not appeared in initial searches of police and security service records, and he is not thought to have been under investigation.

Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes, who is co-ordinating the casualty response, said: "My deepest sympathies are with Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz's loved ones at this extremely hard time.

"Specially trained Family Liaison Officers are in contact with them. They will continue to update them on the investigation and support them throughout the coronial process.

"Whilst there are processes which must be followed, we commit to being mindful of cultural preferences and sensitivities and to ensuring that these men and their loved ones' wishes are respected."

GMP on Thursday said officers were "working to understand the motivation behind the attack" and confirmed the suspected killer had not been referred to the Government's Prevent counter-terror scheme. Al-Shamie is yet to be formally identified.

Others were taken to hospital with serious injuries following the attack.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited a synagogue on Thursday evening after he vowed to do "everything in my power" to protect Jewish communities in the UK.

A dramatic photo of the suspect shows the moment he stood outside the synagogue with unidentified objects strapped to his waist, initially thought to be an explosive device. Police later confirmed the device was not viable.

Footage shared on social media showed an armed officer shouting to members of the public to move away from the area, saying "he has a bomb, go away".

GMP Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson praised the "immediate bravery" of security staff and worshippers who shut the attacker out during what Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham described as a "horrific antisemitic attack".

The Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council said the attack was "something we feared was coming" because of "rising antisemitism in the UK".

Speaking on GB News, Shabana Mahmood said: "In terms of the attacker, this individual was not known to the security services.

"He has obviously been shot dead at the scene, but the police investigations will now continue at pace."

She thanked members of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall and the police, saying their actions helped save lives.