A 55-year-old man from Stockport, Greater Manchester, has been charged following an incident at a mosque on Tuesday 24 February 2026. Darren Connor, of Gorton Road, was arrested at Manchester Central Mosque while around 2,000 people were gathered for evening prayers during the first week of Ramadan.
According to Greater Manchester Police, Connor has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon and possession of cannabis. At the time of his arrest, he was found to have an axe, a hammer, and a Stanley knife, along with zip ties and a balaclava.
Connor appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday 27 February 2026, where he admitted to having cannabis but denied the weapons charge. He has been kept in custody and is expected to appear at Manchester Crown Court on 3 April 2026.
In response to the incident, police have increased patrols at local places of worship to provide reassurance to the community. Officers have been moved to 12-hour shifts to ensure a visible presence in the area as the investigation continues.
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