A counter-terrorism police investigation, which resulted in two suspects being arrested in Manchester, is connected to an alleged imminent threat against the Jewish community.
Specialist counter-terrorism officers from the Metropolitan Police in London swooped on Newton Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter at 2.34pm on Sunday (September 20), detaining two men on suspicion of terrorism.
This was followed by a second operation at a hostel on Lancaster Road in Salford and a raid on a flat in Liverpool. Reliable sources have informed the MEN that the police probe relates to an alleged immediate threat to the Jewish community, which they believe has now been neutralised.
The investigation is expected to expand further into Cheetham Hill and Heaton Park, reports Manchester Evening News. The current national terror threat level stands at ‘severe’, indicating that an attack is deemed ‘highly likely’.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, stated: “This has been a long-running proactive investigation which has led to the disruption of what we believe to be a plot to target the Jewish community in the Manchester area.
“Counter Terror policing continue to focus our efforts on identifying and disrupting those who wish to cause harm in our communities. We are acutely aware this news will cause further concern to the Jewish community, as well as the wider public, especially given the significant High Holy day period.
“I want to reassure them we are working incredibly closely with colleagues in Greater Manchester Police and partners to ensure we’re doing everything we can to keep them and the wider public safe. As we have shown with these arrests, where we suspect there could be a threat to the public, then we will not hesitate to investigate and take action. Importantly, we do not believe there to be any ongoing threat to the public in relation to this matter, but as ever, we would ask that people remain vigilant and contact police with any concerns.”
Sunday’s arrests occurred as anxious Jewish communities were gearing up to observe the most sacred day in their religious calendar, Yom Kippur, on Monday. It marked the first anniversary of the horrific terror assault at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in which Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby lost their lives.
Officers who swooped on the Northern Quarter detained the two suspects under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which permits police on the scene to make an arrest without requiring an arrest warrant. This indicates authorities felt compelled to move swiftly.
Armed officers were among the substantial security presence deployed to safeguard Manchester’s Jewish communities ahead of Yom Kippur. Since the attack, Jewish people in Greater Manchester have been forced to confront a shocking surge in antisemitism, with over 200 incidents of extreme violence, assault, damage, desecration, threats, abusive or antisemitic literature logged in the first six months of 2026.
Police had previously foiled jihadists who conspired to carry out Islamic State-inspired mass slaughter of Jews during summer 2024 in Manchester. Two Islamists whose declared objective was to murder as many Jews as possible were stopped by an undercover officer and were imprisoned in February.
Searches entered their third day on Tuesday at a men’s hostel, Lancaster House, situated on Lancaster Road in Salford. The large stone brick building sits close to Salford Royal Hospital. Photographs revealed a police officer standing guard at the front entrance.
Emergency services and fire crews attended the scene on Sunday night and into Monday morning, though Lancaster Road was subsequently reopened. The road had been sealed off from the De La Salle playing fields down to Eccles Old Road.
The Metropolitan Police released a statement yesterday, stating: “At around 2.45pm on Sunday 20 September in Newton Street, Manchester, officers from Counter Terrorism Policing arrested two individuals as part of an ongoing investigation.
“Both males were arrested on suspicion of offences under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000. The operation was led by Counter Terrorism Policing London, working closely with Counter Terrorism Policing North West and Greater Manchester Police.
“The individuals remain in police custody. Searches are ongoing at two addresses: Epworth Street, Liverpool; Lancaster Road, Salford. At this time, there is no information to suggest any wider threat to the public.
“We understand that police activity of this nature may cause concern. Counter Terrorism Policing continues to work closely with policing partners across the country to help keep the public safe. We would encourage anyone with information or concerns to report them via gov.uk/ACT or by calling the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, we are unable to provide further details at this stage.”
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