Man in his 40s arrested after axe and knife found at Manchester Central Mosque

A man has been arrested after volunteers at Manchester Central Mosque discovered weapons during Taraweeh prayers, prompting a police investigation that has drawn involvement from counter-terrorism detectives and political reaction. The arrest and a continuing search for a second man matter because they have prompted heightened patrols, community alarm during Ramadan, and contrasting accounts of how many worshippers were present.

Volunteers at Manchester Central Mosque: how the incident unfolded

Volunteers at Manchester Central Mosque, on Upper Park Road in the Victoria Park area of Rusholme, challenged and detained a visitor after spotting an axe in his bag during Taraweeh prayers. The man was escorted into a side room or office while volunteers kept him talking until police arrived. The mosque described the episode as a "serious security incident" and said it had handed over all relevant information and CCTV footage to the police.

Greater Manchester Police response and timings

Greater Manchester Police said officers were called at about 20: 40 GMT (around 8. 40pm) on Tuesday after reports two men were acting suspiciously. Police confirmed an off-duty special constable who was part of the congregation phoned the force. Officers arrested a man in his 40s on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and possession of Class B drugs; he remains in custody for questioning. Police said they found an axe, a knife and a hammer among items the suspect had with him and that there was no suggestion any threats were made and no-one was injured.

Suspect description, items and restraint

Accounts describe the detained man as carrying an axe, a knife and a hammer and wearing high-visibility clothing. A witness said four people restrained the suspect and struck him with a fire extinguisher during the intervention. The mosque chairman, Hammad Khan, said the man had been calm, had been seen visiting the mosque before, and that volunteers prevented the situation from escalating. Khan also said the man had some other materials with him, including items relating to World War Two and newspaper cuttings, which police have seized.

Second man sought and identification details

Police are working to identify and locate a second man described as a black male who was reported to have been acting suspiciously and who left before officers arrived. Assistant Chief Constable John Webster said investigators are reviewing CCTV and body-worn video to find the second individual. Webster also said the detained man reportedly claimed to be at the mosque to do work on the building, a claim mosque staff said they had no knowledge of. The force urged anyone with information about the second man to contact police.

Numbers, community impact and political reaction

Estimates of how many worshippers were present differ between accounts: one figure put the number at about 2, 000 people inside the mosque at the time, while another account said roughly 5, 000 worshippers were asked to evacuate. Around 15 police vehicles were said to have attended the scene, and officers were reported to have responded within 15 minutes of the call. Supt Simon Nasim emphasised there had been no injuries and no threats, and that patrols in the area might be increased while inquiries continue.

Manchester Rusholme MP Afzal Khan condemned the incident as a manifestation of Islamophobia stemming from the scapegoating of Muslims by far-right politicians. The leader of the opposition, Sir Keir Starmer, said he was concerned and thanked volunteers and emergency services for their quick response. The mosque warned of a rising number of threats and hostility toward the Muslim community and said greater resources are urgently needed to address the risk.

What makes this notable is the combination of a rapid, community-led intervention inside a packed place of worship during Ramadan and the involvement of counter-terrorism detectives, even though the force has not formally declared the case terror-related. That sequence — volunteers spotting an axe, an off-duty special constable calling police, an arrest on suspicion of weapons and drug possession, and a continuing search for a second man — has driven both operational steps and public concern.