Counter-terror police are investigating after a man took a bag containing an axe and a knife into a Manchester mosque during Ramadan prayers.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are questioning a suspect, but still searching for a second man who was behaving oddly at the same time, and have increased patrols in the area.
Security staff at Manchester Central Mosque spotted a man in high-vis holding a suspicious bag during a congregation involving hundreds of worshippers on Tuesday evening, and challenged him.
An off-duty special constable who was in the congregation called in the force, who arrested the suspect, a white man in his 50s, after seizing items including an axe, a hammer and a knife.
He is being held on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and class B drugs.
Speaking outside the mosque this evening, Assistant Chief Constable John Webster said: ‘There was no suggestion of verbal threats or confrontation, but it’s really important the security staff here and volunteers acted on their suspicions, on their instincts, to call us. I thank them for their actions.
‘This is a time where Muslims come together to observe Ramadan. They should feel safe in their place of worship. We do give places of worship increased attention during this period, as we do with all religious festivals.’
He said that patrols would be increased in the area, with officers temporarily working longer, 12-hour shifts.
Manchester Central Mosque, where two men entered yesterday evening with a bag holding various offensive objects
Police attended the mosque after receiving a call from security guards, who had escorted one of the men to a side room
Me Hammad Khan, chairman of the mosque, criticised police for saying the man had not made any direct threats
Officers continued to question the suspect on Tuesday evening, and counter-terrorism detectives were working on the investigation – though it has not been declared a terrorist incident.
Police said they were ‘working to locate the second suspicious man to understand who he is and what he was doing at the mosque’.
CCTV and body-worn video was being studied to identify the man, who left the mosque just before police arrived.
He was described as being black, approximately in his late 40s, with an athletic build and short stubbled facial hair.
He was wearing a grey hoodie with the hood up, a navy blue jacket with that hood also up, blue tracksuit bottoms, and white trainers.
Constable Webster added: ‘I know this uncertainty can cause concern, but it is key that we have time to question the suspect, explore every line of enquiry and speak to as many witnesses as possible to understand the nature of this incident.’
Volunteers at the mosque in Victoria Park, south Manchester, noticed the man, who was wearing a hi-vis jacket, with a suspicious bag and escorted him to a separate room.
When police were called at around 8:40pm, they searched the man, seized the objects in his possession and arrested him.
GMP said yesterday: ‘The man had reportedly claimed to be in the mosque to do work on the building, but staff had no knowledge of this.
‘We quickly responded to the scene where we searched the suspect, arrested him and seized weapons, including an axe, a knife and class B drugs.
‘At this time, it is not clear what the circumstances or intent, if any, was around this incident.’
According to one eyewitness, the suspect shouted: ‘I’m not a terrorist!’ as he was led away.
Speaking today, the chair of the mosque said the man had attended the place of worship before but had not previously caused any problems.
The incident has sparked major safety concerns among Muslims, who described it as ‘a threat to our community in what is meant to be a sacred time’.
The entrance to Manchester Central Mosque, where police patrols have been increased in the wake of the concerning incident
A local Labour MP claimed it was a ‘consequence of far-right politicians scapegoating Muslims’.
‘This is Islamophobia, plain and simple,’ Rusholme MP Afzal Khan said.
In response, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘I am concerned to hear of the incident at Manchester Central Mosque last night.
‘I know this will be worrying for Muslim communities, especially during Ramadan, a time of peace and reflection.
‘My thanks go to the volunteers and emergency services for their quick response.‘
Today one witness who was attending the prayers, said: ‘The man was saying “I’m not a terrorist” as the police took him away.
‘Then they just chucked him in the back of the van.’
Hammad Khan, 46, chair of the mosque, said he was ‘disappointed’ that police had said no threats were made and they weren’t treating it a terrorist incident.
‘It could have been a lot worse had he not been spotted,’ he added, saying between 1,200 and 1,500 worshippers would have been present.
Describing the incident, Mr Khan said: ‘We were all praying inside and some of the volunteers and security were outside the mosque.
‘The volunteers spotted a white male coming in with a high-vis jacket and a big bag with seemed like something was sticking out of it, which we later found was a big axe.
‘The volunteers then saw the male go into the main hall where the prayers were taking place and they then asked them to accompany them into the front office.
‘He left the bag with the axe in the main hall and went with the volunteers into the office where he stayed and spoke to them.
‘He was very calm in his demeanour and they tried to keep him calm until the police arrived and he was arrested.
‘We’ve subsequently looked at CCTV footage and realised he was accompanied by a black male.
‘They came together but as they entered the front the door they had a discussion and split up.
‘And while the white male was in the office, the other male loitered around outside to see what was happening, and just before police arrived he left the premises.’
The volunteers didn’t know the suspect man had an axe in his bag, with the weapons were only discovered after police arrested him.
‘We are very, very fortunate the volunteers spotted the bag and the handle, not knowing it contained an axe,’ Mr Khan added.
‘We understand he has visited the mosque before but never in a high-vis.
‘We’re not sure what his motives were wearing the high-vis but it appears he walked through the security team wearing the clothes he was wearing.’
Criticising police for saying the suspect did not make any ‘threats’, the mosque chair said: ‘Somebody who walks into a place of worship – a mosque – carrying weapons, that in itself is a threat.
‘You wouldn’t see anybody in the street with an axe and ask them if they posed a threat.’
He said the man ‘didn’t appear to be under the influence of anything’ and seemed to ‘very collected’ in his appearance and manner.
Mr Khan said he understood that the suspect was carrying ‘materials’ relating to the Second World War as well as newspaper cuttings.
‘He said clearly he had visited the mosque before.’
Maryam Khan, who was at the mosque, said: ‘It is really sad to have this as a threat to our community in what is meant to be a sacred time.
‘It’s really disheartening, but we’re used to it, we’re used to fearing our own safety.’
She added: ‘The mosque is packed out with children, babies, kids.
‘Sometimes we don’t go because it’s so busy, it’s very family-orientated. They serve food and feed the homeless. I hope it’s taken seriously.
‘Thank god we have a really strong community here and our own security guards.’
Another witness said she had been left in ‘shock’ at the scenes that unfolded last night.
The mosque’s statement continued: ‘The Muslim community in the UK has experienced a notable rise in threats and hostility over recent years.
‘The increase in Islamophobic incidents is a serious concern, and greater resources are urgently needed to address this growing and real risk.
‘We will continue to cooperate fully with the police and urge all mosque attendees to remain vigilant.
‘Congregants are advised to travel in groups where possible and to ensure that children are not left unattended.
‘The swift and responsible actions of our volunteers played a crucial role in containing the situation. Without their intervention, the consequences could have been far more serious.’
Afzal Khan, the local Labour MP for Rusholme, said: ‘I am deeply concerned about the incident that occurred at Manchester Central Mosque last night, whereby two individuals entered the mosque with weapons.
‘Thankfully, everyone is safe, no one is hurt, and Greater Manchester Police have arrested one of the suspects. I’m in touch with the mosque leadership, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, and the Prime Minister about this incident.
‘Just this week, the Chancellor and Home Secretary announced more funding for protecting mosques, and this incident demonstrates once again why this funding is so vital.
‘This is the consequence of far-right politicians scapegoating Muslims. This is Islamophobia, plain and simple.’
In a joint statement, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, his deputy, Kate Green, and Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, expressed their ‘deep concern’.
‘It is important to say there were no direct threats nor any violence used,’ they said.
‘However, there is no complacency.’
They welcomed police pledging an ‘increased presence’ at the city region’s mosques.
Meanwhile, the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester said it ‘strongly condemned’ the ‘appalling incident’ at Manchester Central Mosque and compared the ‘distress’ it had caused to last October’s deadly terror attack on Heaton Park Synagogue.
‘It is deeply concerning that individuals feel emboldened to target places of worship in this way during such an important time for the Muslim community,’ the group said on social media.
‘No one should ever feel unsafe because of their beliefs.
‘Attacks like this strike at the heart of our shared values of respect, tolerance, and coexistence.
‘We know all too well the fear and distress that comes with being targeted given the appalling scenes witnessed during the terrorist attack at the Heaton Park Synagogue.
‘We stand in full solidarity with those affected.’
Anyone with information is urged to contact GMP on 999 in an emergency quoting incident 3279 of 24 February 2026.
