Сounter-terrorism police have announced the arrest of two men as part of an investigation into a suspected terrorist plot targeting the Jewish community in the Manchester area of northern England.
The suspects, both in their 30s, were arrested on Sunday, 20 September, on Newton Street in central Manchester on suspicion of offences under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000. The investigation is being led by the Metropolitan Police, with support from Counter Terrorism Policing North West, Greater Manchester Police and Merseyside Police. Searches were carried out at addresses in Salford and Liverpool. The men were taken to a police station in London, where they remain in custody. Warrants of further detention allow them to be held until 27 September.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said the arrests were the result of “a long-running proactive investigation” that had disrupted what police believe was a plot to target the Jewish community in the Manchester area. She said there was not believed to be any ongoing threat to the public in connection with the case, but police had increased security measures during the Jewish High Holy Days. Evans noted that the news may cause further concern within the community, particularly ahead of Yom Kippur.
The arrests came almost a year after the attack at Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur 2025, in which two worshippers were killed. Police have not indicated any link between that attack and the current investigation. The UK’s national terrorism threat level remains at “severe.”
