Statements from the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Cllr Bev Craig- Thursday 2 October 2025
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, Deputy Mayor, Kate Green, and Cllr Bev Craig have issued the following statements:
Mayor Andy Burnham said:
"On behalf of everybody in Greater Manchester, I would like to thank the Home Secretary for coming here immediately to provide reassurance to our communities and support to Greater Manchester Police.
"To the Chief Constable and all of his staff, we cannot thank you enough for being on the scene within minutes. Our firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and staff from North West Ambulance Service also provided emergency care at the scene. This was an exemplary blue light response.
"They were supported at the scene by volunteers from the Community Security Trust and it is an organisation that we owe a huge debt of thanks to. They work to keep our communities safe.
"Tonight, our first thoughts are with the families of those who have died, those injured and those traumatised by this – a horrific antisemitic attack on our Jewish friends and neighbours. We condemn it outright.
"Greater Manchester will never stand aside when one of our communities is attacked.
"We ask everyone to show solidarity to the Jewish community. Already, we have mobilised through our interfaith network messages of support and solidarity to our places of worship.
"We will always stand together here in Greater Manchester and we will never let acts designed to cause hatred and division in our communities succeed.
"Our message to everyone across Greater Manchester is:
"Do not let them succeed. Respond by reaching out, by redoubling efforts to work together and stand together in these difficult times."
Deputy Mayor Kate Green said:
"I have spoken today with members of our Jewish community, and I know the pain and sorrow they are feeling tonight – on this holiest of days - is hard to bear. We stand with you as you grieve.
"I want to thank our emergency services for the speed with which they responded to today’s horrific attack and the way that they are working together tirelessly to keep us all safe.
"I know that what happened today has left many people feeling afraid. This is a time to look out for each other and not to listen to anyone who seeks to divide us.
"I want to thank Greater Manchester’s interfaith community for the solidarity and support they have offered their Jewish friends and neighbours and all those people from different faiths and communities who are standing together against antisemitism and all forms of hatred."
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:
"We are all horrified by this shocking and reprehensible attack on members of Manchester’s Jewish community, on their holiest day.
"Our thoughts are with those who have been killed and seriously injured, their loved ones and with everyone who has been affected by this awful incident.
"We have been supporting our local community throughout the morning and offer our full support and love.
"We will be working Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and our local communities in the hours ahead to offer support and reassurance. Manchester stands with our Jewish community at this darkest of moments, and will come together as a city."
Article Published: 02/10/2025 19:42 PM