Police arrest three more people on suspicion of terror offences in connection with
Three more people have been arrested on suspicion of terror offences in connection with the Manchester synagogue attack.
A total of six people are now in police custody after two people died in the horrific assault on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue yesterday.
The attacker, Jihad al-Shamie, 35, was shot dead by officers at the scene just seven minutes after the first 999 call.
In an update this evening, detectives revealed that he was seen acting suspiciously near the synagogue 15 minutes before the attack.
It is understood Syrian-born al-Shamie was confronted by security before he walked away.
He then returned at 9.31am in his car – and after ramming the vehicle into the crowd of worshippers, he started stabbing people at random.
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor said: ‘We have been told from witness accounts that a man was seen acting suspiciously outside the synagogue before he was confronted by security and walked away.
‘Based on the information we have at this time, we don’t believe this was reported to Greater Manchester Police because the man had left the area.
‘Around 15 minutes later, the individual returned in a vehicle and began his horrific attack.’
They added: ‘At this stage, we believe Al-Shamie may have been influenced by extreme Islamist ideology. Establishing the full circumstances of the attack is likely to take some time.
The attacker, Jihad al-Shamie, 35, was shot dead by officers at the scene just seven minutes after the first 999 call
Al-Shamie, 35, targeted Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester on Thursday. It is believed he was a father and is pictured holding a child
The road where the arrests took place, White House Avenue, about 1,500ft from the synagogue, was cordoned off and put under armed guard
‘We have now arrested three further people, one man and two women, aged between 18 and mid-40s.
‘This brings the number of people in custody arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism to six.
‘We will be seeking warrants of further detention for all six individuals and will seek to issue an update on this later.
This is a breaking news story – more to follow