Leeds Council Responds to Mosque Incident in Manchester

February 26, 2026 Off By

Reassurance offered to Muslim community during Ramadan

Leeds City Council has issued a statement to reassure the Muslim community in Leeds following an incident at a mosque in Manchester where a man was arrested allegedly carrying an axe. The council emphasised the importance of community safety and detailed measures being taken locally to protect places of worship.

Council statement and police measures

The Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor James Lewis, and the Executive Member for Communities, Customer Service, and Community Safety, Councillor Asghar Khan, jointly addressed concerns arising from the incident. They acknowledged the worry such events cause, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

They confirmed that discussions with senior police officers have resulted in reassurances that dedicated resources are now deployed to patrol mosques and other faith sites across Leeds. Specifically, each Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) area is providing a uniformed officer in a marked vehicle to monitor these locations within their jurisdiction.

Community involvement and ongoing vigilance

The council also highlighted the role of community intelligence in maintaining safety. Police are encouraging residents to report any suspicious or concerning activity. These reports are logged and reviewed daily by the on-duty NPT Inspector to ensure timely responses.

The statement concluded by affirming that the safety of all communities in Leeds remains a priority and that the council is fully supportive of its diverse population.