Greater Manchester Police have made a second arrest in connection with a deeply concerning incident at Manchester Central Mosque during Ramadan prayers. The investigation was launched after reports of a man entering the mosque while armed with dangerous weapons.
Armed Entry During Holy Month
Police were called to Manchester Central Mosque on Tuesday evening following reports that a man had entered the premises during Ramadan prayers. Upon arrival, officers discovered the individual was carrying weapons, including an axe and a hammer. The man, described as white and in his 50s, was immediately arrested at the scene on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and class B drugs.
Second Suspect Detained
While the initial suspect remained in custody, Greater Manchester Police continued searching for a second individual described as a black man who was reportedly acting suspiciously in the mosque around the same time. On Thursday, officers announced they had arrested a man in his 20s on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a section 18 assault.
The first suspect remains in police custody, with detectives obtaining a warrant of further detention to allow additional time for questioning. Police have emphasized that their investigation is progressing rapidly, with detectives conducting interviews with both individuals to thoroughly explore all possible lines of inquiry.
Community Reassurance
Assistant Chief Constable John Webster addressed the community concerns on Thursday, stating: "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."
Webster continued: "We continue to take this incident seriously and have been granted extra time by the courts to question the first man, so we can thoroughly explore all possible lines of inquiry into the circumstances."
Police have confirmed there is no intelligence suggesting a wider threat to the community and they are not looking for any further suspects in connection with this incident.
Reporting Concerns
Greater Manchester Police have encouraged community members to report any concerns through multiple channels. "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," Webster stated.
Community members can contact police through the following methods:
- Calling 101 for non-emergency situations
- Using the LiveChat function on the Greater Manchester Police website
- Contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
- Dialing 999 in emergency situations
The incident occurred during the holy month of Ramadan, a time when mosques typically see increased attendance for prayers and community gatherings. Manchester Central Mosque, one of the city's prominent Islamic institutions, has been the focus of police attention as investigators work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the armed entry.
