British police have disrupted a suspected plot to attack Jewish communities in the Manchester area, making two arrests ahead of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. The men, both in their 30s, were detained on Sunday afternoon under sections of the Terrorism Act and transported to London for questioning. Authorities described the plot as imminent and said the investigation had been ongoing for several months.

The operation was led by Counter Terrorism Policing London with assistance from North West police forces, local Manchester officers, and intelligence agency MI5. Following the arrests, searches were conducted at locations in Salford and Liverpool, including a hostel and a flat, with police confirming the searches had concluded. No firearms or explosives were found. Investigators suspect the individuals may have planned to use vehicles or knives in a crude attack.

Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism, emphasized that the investigation was proactive and underscored the determination of law enforcement to prevent harm to communities. She acknowledged that the disruption of the plot during a significant religious period—Yom Kippur, often regarded as the holiest day in the Jewish calendar—would cause concern but reassured the public that no ongoing threat was believed to exist. She urged vigilance and encouraged the public to report suspicious activity.

The arrests occurred just hours before the onset of Yom Kippur, with the Jewish festival of Sukkot due to begin shortly afterward. The timing drew parallels to a similar attack last year at Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester, when an Islamist-motivated assailant used a vehicle and knives to kill two Jewish volunteers before being fatally shot by police. That incident raised concerns about the security of Jewish communities in the United Kingdom, particularly during religious observances.

While police did not officially confirm the motive behind the suspected plot, sources indicated that a far-right motivation was considered unlikely. Islamist extremism remains under active consideration, alongside efforts to determine whether any state links exist. Investigation officers are continuing to examine electronic devices seized during searches, and further inquiries are planned in neighborhoods including Cheetham Hill and Heaton Park.

Community organizations serving Jewish populations expressed apprehension about the threat but urged residents to remain calm and alert. The Community Security Trust described the disruption as chilling, especially given its proximity to the anniversary of last year’s deadly attack, and called on the Jewish community to report any suspicious behavior to authorities.

Authorities affirmed that counter-terrorism efforts remain focused on preemptive action to safeguard communities from extremist violence and indicated that they will maintain heightened security measures during the remainder of the High Holy Days.