Counter–terror police have released two suspects from an investigation into the Manchester synagogue attack, including a teenager.
An 18–year–old woman and 43–year–old man who were arrested in Farnworth in connection with the investigation into the terror incident that took place outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue have been released.
No further action is being taken, Greater Manchester Police confirmed.
It comes as police were granted warrants giving them extra time to question four people arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.
Three men remain in hospital after the car and knife attack at the synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, on Thursday.
Jihad Al–Shamie, 35, who was on bail for an alleged rape at the time of the attack, was shot dead by police as he targeted the place of worship on Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Adrian Daulby, 53, is believed to have been accidentally shot dead by police while attempting to prevent Al–Shamie entering the synagogue during the attack.
Melvin Cravitz, 66, from Crumpsall, a worshipper who helped prevent the attacker from entering the premises, also died in the attack.
Police officers outside a home in Farnworth area of Bolton which was raided in connection with the terror attack at a Manchester synagogue
Police arrested two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s in Prestwich after the attack on suspicion of planning acts of terrorism (Pictured: Counter–terrorism officers detain a man in Prestwich on Thursday)
Jihad Al–Shamie, 35, who was shot dead minutes after he targeted Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester on Thursday – he was on police bail over a rape allegation at the time
The police operation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW). They were granted the warrants on Saturday, meaning they can detain four of the suspects for a further five days.
The warrants are in relation to two men, aged 30 and 32, and a woman, 61, all arrested in Prestwich, and a 46–year–old woman arrested in Farnworth.
A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) statement said: ‘Our investigation into the appalling terrorist incident that took place outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue is continuing at pace.
‘The investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing North West supported by resources from across the national Counter Terrorism Policing (CPT) network and Greater Manchester Police.
‘Significant resources from across CTP have been mobilised in order to establish the full picture into what has happened.
‘We have been granted warrants of further detention for four individuals currently in custody. This means they can remain in custody for up to a further five days.
‘Everyone in custody has been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.
‘Inquiries are ongoing.’
On Saturday, the force said three men remain in hospital with serious injuries, including a security guard with car–impact injuries and a Community Security Trust (CST) worker with stab wounds.
On Friday the police watchdog, which is investigating the incident, said it was examining the use of lethal force by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) firearms officers.
Melvin Cravitz, 66 (pictured) was killed in the terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester yesterday
Adrian Daulby, 53, was also killed in the attack after being accidentally shot by police
The scene outside the Heaton Park Synagogue, pictured early on Friday morning, as a police investigation continues into the attack
A bomb disposal expert from the British Army’s 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment is seen investigating the device worn by the terrorist
Hero worshippers can be seen in the windows behind Jihad Al–Shamie as they barricaded the doors at Heaton Park Synagogue before police opened fire
The investigation would include ‘whether police may have caused or contributed to the death’ of Mr Daulby.
A GMP spokesman said they had increased patrols to reassure the community.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who visited the scene on Friday, urged people planning to protest in Manchester and London this weekend to ‘respect the grief of British Jews’, and said demonstrations could cause further pain to mourners.
Writing in The Jewish Chronicle and Jewish News, Sir Keir said: ‘This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain.’
But the protest went ahead anyway, with hundreds of people in Trafalgar Square turning out with signs that read: ‘I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.’
By 3.45pm, the Met Police announced it had arrested 175 people for expressing support for a proscribed organisation, including six who unfurled a banner on Westminster Bridge.
Dave Rich, director of policy at the Community Security Trust, said that incitement has been ‘off the charts’ since the October 7 attacks.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘I think more broadly, across civil society and across parts of industry, there is an inability to recognise antisemitism or a reluctance to deal with incitement in ways that have just allowed it to grow.
‘I think the anger is directed there and I think a lot of Jewish people will be saying ‘OK, the sympathy is great, but where’s the action?”
A minute’s silence will be held at Old Trafford on Saturday during Manchester United’s match against Sunderland, in tribute to the victims, and players are expected to wear black armbands.
Head of counter–terrorism policing Laurence Taylor said on Friday that a ‘suspicious device’ attached to Al–Shamie’s torso had been confirmed to be fake, and that police believed he ‘may have been influenced by extreme Islamist ideology’.
He added: ‘Based on some fast–time assessments conducted on our systems, this individual does not appear to be known to counter–terrorism policing, however he does have a non–CT (counter–terror) related criminal history.
‘This includes a recent arrest for rape, which resulted in him being bailed.’
