Civic leaders condemn 'evil and disgusting' bloodshed on holiest day

Representatives from across the Leeds community have condemned a suspected terror attack at a synagogue in Manchester yesterday morning.

- by Jennifer Cartwright

Two people have died and three more are in a serious condition after a car was driven into pedestrians and a person was stabbed at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester.

The attack took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism.

Assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor, national head of counter-terrorism policing, confirmed that a suspect was shot dead by firearms police and that two further arrests have been made.

Fabian Hamilton, MP for Leeds North East, described the attack as "evil and disgusting" and has called on the Government to increase safeguarding on synagogues around the country.

He said: "I'm absolutely horrified by the reports of an attack on the Jewish community at a synagogue in Manchester. This cowardly attack on the Jewish community, especially on Yom Kippur, is evil and disgusting. My thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy.

"It's essential that the Government takes immediate steps to safeguard the security of synagogues and places of Jewish worship across the country in light of this attack.