Second Suspect Detained in Manchester Mosque Axe Incident
Greater Manchester Police have made a second arrest following a concerning incident at Manchester Central Mosque on Tuesday evening. A man in his 20s has been taken into custody on suspicion of conspiracy to commit assault, while the initial suspect arrested at the scene remains detained after police obtained a warrant of further detention.
Incident Details and Police Response
The situation unfolded when volunteers at the Victoria Park mosque noticed a man wearing a high-visibility jacket carrying a suspicious bag during evening prayers. Hundreds of worshippers were present in the building at the time. The volunteers escorted the individual to a separate room, where he remained calm while awaiting police arrival.
When officers responded to the call at approximately 8:40pm, they searched the bag left in the main hall and discovered dangerous items including an axe, a hammer, and a knife. The first suspect, a white man in his 50s, was immediately arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and class B drugs.
Assistant Chief Constable John Webster stated: "Our investigation has been working at pace, leading to us making an arrest for the outstanding man this morning. Detectives will be conducting interviews with him today."
Community Concerns and Official Statements
The incident has raised significant safety concerns within the local community, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his concern, stating: "I know this will be worrying for Muslim communities, especially during Ramadan, a time of peace and reflection."
Hammad Khan, chairman of Manchester Central Mosque, described how fortunate the situation had been: "We are very, very fortunate the volunteers spotted the bag and the handle, not knowing it contained an axe." He added that CCTV footage revealed the suspect had been accompanied by another individual who left the premises before police arrived.
Investigation Developments
Counter-terrorism officers have been involved in investigating the incident, though police emphasize there is no intelligence suggesting a wider threat to the community. The second suspect left the scene voluntarily before police arrived, prompting an extensive search that led to his arrest.
According to police statements, the initial suspect had claimed to be at the mosque to perform building work, but staff had no knowledge of any scheduled maintenance. An off-duty special constable who was among the worshippers alerted authorities, leading to the swift police response.
Patrols in the area have been increased as a precautionary measure following the incident. Police continue to encourage community members to report any concerns through official channels, including the 101 non-emergency number or the LiveChat function on the Greater Manchester Police website.
Both suspects remain in custody as investigations continue to determine the full circumstances and intent behind the mosque incident.
