The identity of the attacker, who was shot dead by armed police at the scene, has not yet been disclosed, but police have confirmed they are treating the incident as a terror attack, and Watson said two arrests have been made: “I can confirm that two other individuals have been arrested in connection with this incident and urgent inquiries are ongoing.”
The identities of the victims have not been shared either, though police confirmed the two who had been killed were members of Manchester’s Jewish community.
The head of UK counter-terror policing, assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor, held a separate press conference earlier in the day, where he said police believe they know the attacker's identity, "but for safety reasons at the scene” were unable to reveal it.
He said: “Based on what we know, counter terrorism policing has declared this a terrorist incident,” he said.
During the Manchester press conference, Watson promised a more visible police presence in the area and further afield as a result of the terror attack.
He said that "very visible and proactive policing activity is ongoing across Greater Manchester and beyond", adding: "There will be lots of questions that people would like answers to and quickly, but please understand that some of this will take time.
"What I can say is that the highly visible response to these dreadful incidents will be sustained as we work to understand the full circumstances of what has happened."
Numerous Jewish community leaders and organisations have yet to comment on the atrocity while they observe Yom Kippur. Figures including the Chief Rabbi are expected to respond after nightfall.
