Plot targeting Manchester’s Jewish community disrupted, say police

Two men have been arrested over a suspected terrorist plot to target the Jewish community in Manchester, police have said.

The men, both in their 30s, were arrested on Sunday on the eve of Yom Kippur – considered to be the holiest day in the Jewish calendar – when thousands of British Jews were in synagogues already guarded with a heavy security and police presence.

The men were detained on suspicion of offences under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, according to the Metropolitan Police, which is leading the investigation.

Sources have told the BBC the suspected plot was “fairly imminent” and in the later stages of planning.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the government would “continue to do all in our power to address threats against our Jewish community”.

She added: “We cannot expect our Jewish community to live behind higher walls.

“We must also tackle antisemitism at its source and root it out wherever it rears its head.”

Read more: BBC News