Axe-wielding man arrested at Manchester Mosque

0:00On this February 26, this episode is brought to you by NordVPN, fast, reliable online privacy. Links in the episode description. Here's what's shaping the UK right now. A man in his fifties walked into Manchester Central Mosque on Tuesday night carrying an axe, a hammer, a knife, and class B drugs during evening. Prayers with hundreds inside. Security spotted his suspicious bag and held him until police arrived around 8.40 pm. Officers arrested him right there on suspicion of possessing offensive weapons. Now a second suspect, a man in his twenties, has been detained on suspicion of conspiracy to commit assault. Police tracked him down after he left the scene just before they arrived. Both men remain in custody with extra time granted for questioning. Mosque chairman, Hammett Khan, called worshipers very fortunate that volunteers noticed the bag's handle sticking out, even though the man had visited. Before without issues, he wore a hive his jacket and claimed he was there for building work, but staff knew nothing about that.

1:03Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer voiced concern over the incident, especially during Ramadan, and thanked emergency services for their quick response. Community members raised safety worries, prompting stepped up patrols around the South Manchester site. Counter-terror officers helped investigate it first, but police say there's no wider threat to the community, and they're not seeking anyone else. Detectives keep digging into the men's intentions to get the full picture.