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Security tightened across Victoria Park as investigators pursue accomplice in Ramadan weapons incident.
Greater Manchester Police have shifted their focus to a high-priority manhunt for a second individual involved in a chilling security breach at Manchester Central Mosque. While a 40-year-old man remains in custody after being found with an axe, knife, and hammer, detectives are now tracing the movements of a black male who fled the scene just moments before officers arrived. This escalation comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and local leaders demand immediate reflections on community safety protocols following the near-miss in Victoria Park.
The investigation has now moved into a forensic phase, with specialist officers analyzing CCTV footage to identify the second man’s escape route. This transition from immediate response to active pursuit marks a critical turn in the case, as authorities work to determine the motive behind the duo's coordinated entry into the prayer hall. Despite the recovery of multiple weapons and suspected Class B drugs from the primary suspect, police have maintained that the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related, though the community remains on high alert.
Political pressure is mounting for the immediate release of the £40 million in promised security funding for faith-based sites. Local MP Afzal Khan has already briefed the Home Secretary and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, citing the incident as a direct consequence of rising regional tensions. The focus has now turned to "protective security" measures, with the government facing calls to expedite the rollout of physical barriers and advanced surveillance for mosques across the North West to prevent similar incursions.
In the immediate aftermath, Manchester Central Mosque has implemented a "group travel" advisory for all congregants attending evening Taraweeh prayers. Volunteers who successfully neutralized the first suspect are being hailed as heroes, yet the mosque leadership warns that the psychological impact on the community is profound. Moving forward, the public can expect a significantly "hardened" police presence in South Manchester, with mobile units and neighborhood officers tasked with providing visible reassurance throughout the remainder of the holy month.
