Counter-terror police have been called in after a man armed with weapons entered a mosque during sacred prayers in Manchester.
Officers are questioning the suspect, who allegedly entered Manchester Central Mosque with a bag containing an axe and a knife while over 1,000 worshippers were taking part in Ramadan prayers last night.
Mosque volunteers spotted the suspicious bag and escorted the man, who was wearing a hi-vis jacket, to a separate room before handing him over to police.
According to one eye witness 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.
Officers have now launched a manhunt for a second man, a black male who was also reported to be acting suspiciously and is still at large.
Earlier today, Greater Manchester Police said the incident is not being treated as terror-related.
But in an update they have now said that while it remains unclear whether the suspect had any ‘intent’, they are now working with detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing North West in order to explore ‘every line of inquiry’.
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’.
A local Labour MP claimed it was a ‘consequence of far-right politicians scapegoating Muslims’.
Pictured: Manchester Central Mosque where two men entered yesterday evening carrying bags filled with weapons
Manchester Central Mosque earlier today. Officers are questioning the suspect, who allegedly entered Manchester Central Mosque with a bag containing an axe and a knife while worshippers were taking part in Ramadan prayers last night
‘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.‘
The arrested suspect, a white man in his 50s, is being held on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon and possession of Class B drugs.
The pair were said to be carrying a bag containing weapons when they entered the mosque in the Victoria Park area of south Manchester, at around 8.40pm last night.
Giving new information about the suspect in custody today, Assistant Chief Constable John Webster said: ‘The man had reportedly claimed to be in the mosque to do work on the building, but staff had no knowledge of this.
‘They rightly acted on their suspicions and called police.
The entrance to Manchester Central Mosque. 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
‘There was no suggestion that he made any threats or confronted members of the congregation.
‘However, we understand the concern that this suspicious and concerning behaviour caused.
‘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.
He added: ‘At this time, it is not clear what the circumstances or intent, if any, was around this incident.
‘I know this uncertainty can cause concern, but it is key that we have the time to question the suspect and speak to as many witnesses as possible to understand the nature of this incident.
‘To ensure we are appropriately exploring every line of enquiry, we are working with detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing North West, but it has not been declared a terrorist incident.’
Mr Webster said the Greater Manchester force was taking the incident ‘very seriously’ and had increased patrols around mosques, acknowledging that Ramadan was ‘a really important time for Muslim communities’.
CCTV and body-worn video is being studied to identify the second suspect, who was also reported to have been acting suspiciously.
He is described as 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.
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.’
Earlier Manchester Central Mosque said a ‘serious security incident’ had occurred, explaining: ‘A white male entered the Mosque wearing a hi-vis jacket carrying a large bag.
‘He was accompanied by a black male, both entering the mosque at the same time.
‘The mosque volunteers spotted the suspicious bag containing an axe, which was placed into the main hall of the mosque by the assailant.
‘The white male was escorted to a separate room by volunteers and was found to have been carrying multiple weapons including a hammer and a knife. He was eventually arrested by the police.
‘The black male left the mosque shortly before police arrived, after it became apparent that the situation had been contained. To our knowledge, he has not yet been arrested by Greater Manchester Police.
‘All relevant information and CCTV footage has been passed onto the police who are continuing their investigation.’
Attendees stopped one of the men as he entered the place of worship and took him into a separate room where they discovered the bag full of weapons.
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.
Police said there is now an increased police presence in the area and attendees at the mosque have been warned to be ‘vigilant’ and to ‘travel in groups where possible and not leave children unattended’.
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.’
This morning Superintendent Simon Nasim, of City of Manchester Central district, said: ‘Yesterday evening officers attended a local mosque after it was reported that two men were acting suspiciously and carrying an offensive weapon while people were worshipping during the holy month of Ramadan.
‘We have swiftly arrested one individual and officers are working to locate the second man. No threats were made and thankfully, no one was injured.
‘You may notice an increased presence of patrols in the area while our enquiries continue. Please feel free to chat with our officers and let them know your concerns.
‘There’s no place for weapons on our streets and we are committed to ensure all our communities feel safe to worship in peace and go about their daily lives without fear. Anyone committing such offences will be dealt with in accordance with the law.’
Anyone with information is urged to contact GMP on 999 in an emergency quoting incident 3279 of 24 February 2026.
