Sir Keir Starmer has expressed concern after a “critical incident” at a mosque in Manchester.
A person was arrested after allegedly coming into a mosque throughout Ramadan prayers carrying a number of weapons, together with an axe.
The suspect, a white man in his 40s, was with one other man, a black male, who entered Manchester Central Mosque within the Victoria Park space of south Manchester, at round 8.40pm on Tuesday.
The primary suspect was subsequently arrested by police on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon and possession of sophistication B medication.
He stays in custody for questioning.
Better Manchester Police (GMP) say the incident just isn’t being handled as terror-related.
In an announcement, the mosque mentioned a “critical safety incident” had taken place throughout prayers.
Sir Keir posted on X: “I’m involved to listen to of the incident at Manchester Central Mosque final evening. I do know this can be worrying for Muslim communities, particularly throughout Ramadan, a time of peace and reflection.
“My thanks go to the volunteers and emergency companies for his or her fast response.
“We now have offered as much as £40m funding for extra safety at mosques, Muslim faculties and neighborhood centres, and can proceed to behave to make sure communities are in a position to reside with out concern.”
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The mosque’s assertion mentioned a “white male entered sporting a hi-vis jacket carrying a big bag”.
It mentioned he was accompanied by a “black male, each coming into the mosque on the identical time”.
The assertion added: “The mosque volunteers noticed the suspicious bag containing an axe, which was positioned into the principle corridor of the mosque by the assailant.
“The white male was escorted to a separate room by volunteers and was discovered to have been carrying a number of weapons together with a hammer and a knife. He was ultimately arrested by the police.
“The black male left the mosque shortly earlier than police arrived, after it turned obvious that the scenario had been contained. To our data, he has not but been arrested by Better Manchester Police.”
All related data and CCTV footage has been handed on to the police through the ongoing investigation, the assertion mentioned.
It continued: “The Muslim neighborhood within the UK has skilled a notable rise in threats and hostility over current years. The rise in Islamophobic incidents is a critical concern, and higher sources are urgently wanted to deal with this rising and actual danger.
“Congregants are suggested to journey in teams the place doable and to make sure that kids usually are not left unattended.
“The swift and accountable actions of our volunteers performed an important function in containing the scenario. With out their intervention, the results may have been much more critical.”
Superintendent Simon Nasim of GMP mentioned: “We now have swiftly arrested one particular person and officers are working to find the second man. No threats had been made and fortunately, nobody was injured.
“Chances are you’ll discover an elevated presence of patrols within the space whereas our inquiries proceed. Please be at liberty to speak with our officers and allow them to know your issues.”
Afzal Khan, the native MP for Rusholme, mentioned he’s “deeply involved” concerning the incident.
He mentioned: “Simply this week, the chancellor and residential secretary introduced extra funding for safeguarding mosques, and this incident demonstrates as soon as once more why this funding is so important.
“That is the consequence of far-right politicians scapegoating Muslims. That is Islamophobia, plain and easy.”
Officers are interesting for witnesses to assist with enquiries.
