Man with axe arrested at mosque in 'serious security incident'

A man has been arrested after allegedly entering a mosque in Manchester with an axe in his bag during Ramadan prayers.

The suspect, a white man in his 50s, went into Manchester Central Mosque in the Victoria Park area around 8.30pm on Tuesday, police said.

He was wearing hi-vis clothing and was said to have had an axe, a knife and a hammer with him.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said no one was injured and no threats were made.

The force said it had not declared it a terrorist incident, but was working with counter-terrorism police to investigate.

The suspect is being held on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and class B drugs.

Police are searching for a second man, a black male, who is believed to have been with the suspect but left before officers arrived.

The chairman of the mosque said volunteers had kept the suspect talking until police arrived and arrested him.

Hammad Khan said the man was "very calm" and had been spotted visiting the mosque before.

However, after entering the building on Tuesday, an axe was spotted in his bag, and he was ushered into an office by volunteers and the police were called.

Mr Khan said: "His demeanour was very calm.

"He wasn't under the influence of anything at all. I also understand he was also carrying some other materials with him relating to World War Two, also some newspaper cuttings, which the police have.

"The volunteers obviously kept the conversation going in a very amenable way to ensure the situation did not escalate in any way."

The mosque described it as a "serious security incident".

Police said an off-duty special constable, who was part of the congregation, phoned police and officers responded within 15 minutes.

'Worrying for Muslim communities'

In a post on X, 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.

"We have provided up to £40m funding for additional security at mosques, Muslim schools and community centres, and will continue to act to ensure communities are able to live without fear."

'Concerning incident'

Speaking outside the mosque on Wednesday evening, GMP's Assistant Chief Constable John Webster said: "Last night, a concerning incident took place here at Manchester Central Mosque.

"A man with a bag containing an axe was acting suspiciously, during a congregation involving hundreds of worshippers...

"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."

He added: "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."

Mr Webster said officers were increasing patrols "to offer security and reassurance to our Muslim community" and said officers would be on 12-hour shifts to do so.

He added: "There is an ongoing police investigation, and we are working to locate the second suspicious man to understand who he is and what he was doing at the mosque.

"We're still questioning the detained man to understand what he was doing here with an axe in his bag."

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Volunteers 'played crucial role in containing situation'

In a statement, the mosque said the UK's Muslim community had "experienced a notable rise in threats and hostility over recent years".

It added: "The increase in Islamophobic incidents is a serious concern, and greater resources are urgently needed to address this growing and real risk.

"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 MP for Rusholme, also said he was "deeply concerned" about the incident.

He said: "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."

Police are appealing for witnesses to help with their enquiries.

(c) Sky News 2026: Man with axe arrested at mosque in 'serious security incident'