Two men held over suspected Manchester Jewish community terror plot
Counter Terrorism Policing said it was working closely with Greater Manchester Police and partners to keep the Jewish community and the wider public safe.
A suspected terrorist plot to target the Jewish community in Manchester is believed to have been disrupted after two men were arrested in the city on 20 September, police have said.
The Metropolitan Police, which is leading the investigation, said the arrests were made on Newton Street in the Northern Quarter area of Manchester.
The men, both in their 30s, were held on suspicion of offences under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the senior national co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “This has been a long-running proactive investigation which has led to the disruption of what we believe to be a plot to target the Jewish community in the Manchester area.”
The news, Evans said, would cause “further concern” to the Jewish community and the wider public, “especially given the significant High Holy day period”.
Yom Kippur, considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, was marked from the evening of 20 September to the evening of 21 September.
“Counter-terrorism policing (CTP) continue to focus our efforts on identifying and disrupting those who wish to cause harm in our communities. Importantly, we do not believe there to be any ongoing threat to the public in relation to this matter, but as ever, we would ask that people remain vigilant and contact police with any concerns,” Evans added.
Searches at properties on Epworth Street in Liverpool and Lancaster Road in Salford have now been completed, police said.
The two men were taken to a London police station, where they remain in custody.
Detectives have obtained warrants of further detention, which allow the men to be held until 27 September.
The Community Security Trust, which coordinates security for Jewish communities in the UK, called the suspected plot “utterly chilling coming so close to the anniversary of the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue last year”.
“[This] is another reminder of the serious terrorist threat facing Jewish communities in this current time,” the trust added.
Evans said counter-terrorism officers would “not hesitate to investigate and take action” where a threat to the public was suspected. Detectives were “pursuing a number of lines of enquiry” that were expected to continue “over the coming days”.