Man arrested after axe and knife carried into Manchester Mosque during prayers
Greater Manchester Police said a man in his 40s was arrested after walking into Manchester Mosque on Upper Park Road in Victoria Park, Rusholme, allegedly carrying weapons including an axe and a knife during Taraweeh prayers; officers said no one was injured and no threats were made.
Volunteers challenged the man during Taraweeh prayers at Manchester Mosque
Manchester Central Mosque said volunteers had challenged a man after he walked in during Taraweeh prayers and that they had spotted a suspicious bag. The mosque said volunteers escorted one of the men into a side room and passed relevant information and CCTV footage to police. The mosque said there were about 2, 000 worshippers inside at the time; a separate witness gave a higher estimate of roughly 5, 000.
Police arrested a man on weapons and drugs suspicions
Greater Manchester Police said officers were called to the mosque at about 20: 40 GMT on Tuesday after reports that two men were acting suspiciously. Police arrested a man in his 40s on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon and possession of Class B drugs; he remains in custody for questioning. One report described the suspect as a white man in his 50s and another said he entered around 8: 30pm, a discrepancy noted in accounts of the incident.
Weapons found in bag; volunteers restrained the suspect
Witnesses and mosque statements said the man had an axe in his bag and that other items included a hammer and a knife. One witness said four people restrained the suspect and hit him with a fire extinguisher. The mosque chairman, Hammad Khan, said volunteers kept the suspect talking and calm while they waited for police; he said the man had been seen visiting before and that volunteers ushered him into an office to avoid escalation.
Police working with counterterrorism and searching for second man
The force said it was working with detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing North West but had not formally declared the incident to be terror-related; mosque representatives have questioned that position. Assistant Chief Constable John Webster said the man had reportedly claimed to be in the mosque to do work on the building, but staff had no knowledge of this. Officers said they were reviewing all available CCTV and body-worn video to identify a second man described as a black male in his late 40s with an athletic build and stubble, wearing a grey hoodie and a navy blue jacket with both hoods up, blue tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.
No injuries; local reaction and aftermath
Supt Simon Nasim said no-one was injured and there was no suggestion that the suspect made any threats or confronted members of the congregation. An off-duty special constable who was part of the congregation called police, and one account said officers arrived within about 15 minutes and that roughly 15 police cars were at the scene. Videos circulating after the incident showed a heavy police presence outside the mosque; the following morning the mosque was quiet with no visible police presence and neighbours said they had not seen or heard signs of a disturbance.
Manchester Rusholme MP Afzal Khan said: "This is the consequence of far-right politicians scapegoating Muslims. This is Islamophobia, plain and simple. " Sir Keir Starmer said he was concerned by the incident and thanked volunteers and emergency services for their quick response. The mosque described the episode as a "serious security incident. " Police appealed for anyone with information about the second man to contact them.
Investigations are continuing; officers are reviewing footage and continuing enquiries while the detained man remains in custody and police seek the second man.
