Second Suspect Arrested Following Armed Incident at Manchester Mosque
Greater Manchester Police have made a second arrest in connection with a concerning incident at Manchester Central Mosque, where a man armed with an axe was reported to have entered the premises during Ramadan prayers on Tuesday evening. The initial suspect, a white man in his 50s, remains in custody after being arrested at the scene on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and class B drugs.
Details of the Incident and Police Response
Police were called to the mosque after reports emerged that a man had entered the building carrying multiple weapons, including a hammer and an axe. Following the arrest of the first suspect, officers continued their search for a black male who was reported to have been acting suspiciously in the mosque at the same time. On Thursday, a force spokesman confirmed that a man in his 20s had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a section 18 assault.
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." He emphasized the seriousness of the incident, noting that the courts have granted extra time to question the first suspect to thoroughly explore all possible lines of inquiry.
Community Reassurance and Ongoing Investigations
Despite the alarming nature of the event, Greater Manchester Police have assured the public that there is no intelligence to suggest a wider threat to the community. Officers are not looking for any further suspects at this time. The force has been proactive in addressing community concerns, with ACC Webster adding, "We know this has been a concerning time for many of our communities, and we remain committed to acting on any concerns reported to us."
To facilitate reporting, police have provided multiple contact options:
- Contacting them on 101
- Using the LiveChat function on the GMP website
- Calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
- Dialing 999 in emergencies
The incident, which occurred during a sensitive period of Ramadan, has heightened vigilance in the area, but authorities are working diligently to ensure public safety and complete their investigations.
