Security across the city has been stepped up in the wake of the fatal attack on a north Manchester synagogue, according to an MP.

Armed police raced to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue on Middleton Road in Crumpsall area at 9:31am on Thursday morning (October 2).

Mayor Andy Burnham said emergency services were called 'by members of the public, saying they had witnessed a car being driven to the public and one had been stabbed'.

GMP has since confirmed officers shot the male suspect dead, and two victims have also passed away.

Three more victims are also seriously injured. Middleton Road remains closed from Crumpsall Lane to Wilton Road.

Now, Labour MP for Manchester Central Lucy Powell, has issued a statement confirming security has been stepped up following the incident.

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I am horrified at the attack on Heaton Park Synagogue. 

"My first thoughts are with all those affected and their families. I fully stand by and with the Manchester Jewish community. 

"Security across the city has been stepped up and urgent steps put in place to keep our Jewish communities safe. The antisemitism and Jewish hate they are increasingly experiencing is appalling and totally unacceptable. 

"We must stand strongly together to condemn it and deal with it."

Manchester Central neighbours the Blackley and Middleton South constituency, where the synagogue is. Its MP, Graham Stringer, said earlier: "It's a dreadful attack designed to damage the Jewish community and damage inter-faith and inter-community relationships. I know that Mancunians will come together to make sure that villains like this do not damage our very tolerant city.

"I know the synagogue well and I know the people in the synagogue. I have lived within a stone's throw of that synagogue for most of my adult life and I think it's appalling

"I know, like after the Manchester Arena attack, people will come together."

A spokesperson for GMP said the force 'remains in direct contact with all synagogues across Greater Manchester to provide reassurance and this will continue for as long as needed'.