‘He went to kill my people, my community’: Broadcaster who calls Manchester home tells of

A Jewish broadcaster has spoken of the moment her ‘stomach dropped and churned’ when she heard the news of a terror attack at the Manchester synagogue she worshipped at as a child.

Emma Barnett, a presenter on Today on BBC Radio 4, revealed that as a youngster she used to attend Heaton Park Synagogue, where at least two Jewish people were killed on Thursday morning.

The presenter, 40, said that her friends’ parents in Manchester are currently locked in their synagogues, saying that ‘no one knows what’s going on’ and ‘if or where the next hit might be’.

Despite not having been to the synagogue since she was 16, she said she ‘still remember the simple building like it was yesterday’. 

Writing for The Times, Ms Barnett said: ‘He went to kill my people; my community; at my old shul. No equivocation. No doubt. 

‘Jews were the target and this was planned for the day when as many of them as possible were packed inside a shul praying for their sins.’

She went on to add: ‘Jews are locked inside synagogues in 2025 in the UK. Take that reality in’.

After finding out at attack happened at the synagogue from here youth she said that she ‘felt very, very strange’.

Emma Barnett, a presenter on Today on BBC Radio 4, revealed that as a child growing up in Manchester she used to attend Heaton Park Synagogue, where at least two Jewish people were killed this morning 

Rabbi Daniel Walker (pictured right) leapt into action after the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue came under attack 

The attacker, Jihad Al-Shamie, was caught on camera armed with a knife trying to get into the synagogue moments before he was shot by armed police 

‘I cry for the community. I cry for the people who have been killed and their families. I cry out of fear and for what such hate can do. But I also cry out of sheer rage, indignation and horror,’ she wrote.

Police on Thursday night named 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie as the attacker, who was gunned down by police. 

The horror left four in a serious condition following the attack during the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur.

Among those hurt is believed to be a security guard who put himself in harms way to help stop the ‘marauding’ terrorist from entering the synagogue.

Greater Manchester Police chief constable Sir Stephen Watson said the bravery of security staff and worshippers had stopped the knifeman from entering the building.

A car was driven into a crowd before the male driver started stabbing people at 9.31am on Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

The suspect, who was initially feared to be wearing an explosive vest, was shot dead within seven minutes of the initial call to the emergency services, chief constable Watson said.

The force confirmed tonight the vest the terror suspect was wearing was ‘not viable’.

Two people were later arrested by armed police just streets away from where the onslaught took place.

Shortly after police shot the the man, Rabbi Walker was seen outside, his white kittel – the traditional robes worn by Jewish religious leaders – seemingly covered in blood.

Worshipper Rob Kanter, 45, was in the barricaded synagogue and told how Rabbi Walker was providing as much pastoral support as he could.

Sir Keir tonight vowed to the Jewish community that he would do ‘everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve’, as police patrols were ramped up outside synagogues across the country.

The premier said there would be a more visible police presence and that Britain ‘will come together to wrap our arms around your community’.

Sir Keir Starmer tonight saluted the heroes of the Manchester synagogue attack who stopped a terrorist from carrying out more bloodshed

He offered his condolences to the families and victims of the atrocity before adding: ‘I want to thank the Greater Manchester police, the first responders and those dedicated security specialists, there is no doubt whatsoever that they have prevented an even greater tragedy, and we thank them for their bravery.’

Officers have since confirmed the incident is being treated as a terror attack. The Daily Mail understands members of the British Army’s elite SAS have this evening been called in to support the terror probe.

Two men have since been arrested in nearby White House Avenue, about 1,500ft from where the carnage took place, the Metropolitan Police’s head of counter terrorism policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said.

Speaking in Manchester tonight near the synagogue, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was ‘horrified by the anti-Semitic terrorist attack’.

‘My prayers are with the victims and the families of all of those who are murdered here today,’ she said.

She added: ‘I know that there are many questions that are still to be answered, and rest assured, they will be answered as quickly as possible, it will just take a little time for us to establish exactly what has happened here, but we will share more information as soon as we are able to.

‘What I do want to say is to those who seek to divide us, they will fail.’

Andy Burnham stood next to Ms Mahmood to condemn the attack. He said that ‘Greater Manchester will never stand aside when one of our communities is attacked’.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester added: ‘We ask everyone to show solidarity to the Jewish community this weekend, and already, we’ve mobilised through our interfaith network messages of support and solidarity through places of worship.’

Speaking outside New Scotland Yard, Assistant Commissioner Taylor added: ‘This morning, an appalling attack took place in Crumpsall in Manchester. Two people have died. The attacker has been shot dead by the police.

‘We believe we know their identity, but for safety reasons at the scene, we’re unable to confirm at this stage.

‘Three other members of the public are in a serious condition. We have also made two further arrests, and based on what we know, counter-terrorism policing has declared this as a terrorist incident.’

Counter terrorism police are working with officers in Greater Manchester to investigate the killings outside the synagogue.

Police sources have told the Daily Mail the vest worn by the attacker is not believed to be a viable device, but this has yet to be formally confirmed by ordnance experts.

Mr Taylor added: ‘Those who have been killed and injured are at the forefront of our minds. As are their families, friends and all of those who love them.

‘An attack on our Jewish community, today, on Yom Kippur, is devastating.’