A police officer stands at the scene, after a man was arrested following a stabbing incident in the Golders Green area, which is home to a large Jewish population, in London, Britain, April 29, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Hannah McKay

British counter-terrorism police said on Tuesday that they had arrested two ​people as part of an investigation into a suspected ‌terrorist plot to target the Jewish community in northern England.

Police said the two men, aged in their 30s, were held in ​central Manchester on Sunday with searches also carried ​out in Salford and Liverpool.

“This has been a long-running ⁠proactive investigation which has led to the disruption of ​what we believe to be a plot to target ​the Jewish community in the Manchester area,” Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said in a statement.

She said detectives did ​not believe that there was any ongoing threat, but ​police in Manchester said they had stepped up a policing operation ‌during ⁠upcoming Jewish High Holy days.

Last year two Jewish worshippers were killed in an attack on a synagogue in Manchester which was committed by a British citizen of Syrian descent ​who had said ​he was ⁠acting for Islamic State.

“We are acutely aware this news will cause further concern to ​the Jewish community, as well as the wider ​public, ⁠especially given the significant High Holy day period,” Evans said.

“I want to reassure them we are working incredibly closely with ⁠colleagues ​in Greater Manchester Police and partners ​to ensure we’re doing everything we can to keep them and the ​wider public safe.”