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Shocked witnesses have described the "horrendous" scene unfolding as a vehicle and knife assault resulted in two people killed and three others wounded outside a Jewish place of worship in Manchester.

Law enforcement said a car was targeted towards individuals in the event in Crumpsall and a man - thought to be the offender - was fired upon by firearms officers and is also thought to be dead.

A courier said he observed what initially seemed to be a accident before discovering there was a man with a knife.

"It looked like a car that had crashed, so we initially assumed it was a normal collision, but when we approached nearer we spotted a guy bleeding out on the ground. He was just unconscious, believed deceased," he said.

"Subsequently there was a guy in before the car, he was lying on the floor, and there were a a number of bystanders standing in the road."

The witness, who was named Gareth, explained to a radio broadcaster: "Someone called out 'he's in the school or the synagogue' and then as we observed the man had a blade and he was repeatedly striking the glass, trying to get in [the building], and within seconds the law enforcement appeared."

"They gave him a couple of warnings, he didn't listen, so they opened fire. He collapsed and then he started getting back up and then they fired once more."

The assault took place on Yom Kippur, the most sacred occasion in the Judaism, in a part of the city with a prominent Jewish residents.

Video posted on social media seemed to depict law enforcement pointing guns at someone laying on the floor outside the front of the synagogue.

The police with guns yelled at witnesses to "move away" and "disperse"

The person on the floor is shown attempting to stand before there is the sound of a gunshot and they drop down.

A different individual was shown unmoving on the floor outside the entrance gates with evidence of injury near their upper body.

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One more bystander, Shah, who is a neighbor of the worship center, explained observing a car "speeding by and targeting the people."

"After that I had observed a man leap from the car and moving towards the bystanders," he commented.

"It was a little bit traumatizing to be fair. And then following that I slowed down a moment just to observe the situation and to try and call first responders."

"The individual was appearing with a blade and he just started acting violently."

"The situation is alarming to be completely honest."

Neighborhood dweller Olivia Gold said she had acquaintances who visit the religious building.

She informed a media outlet: "It was likely very, very busy. I live around the corner, but I've walked around to offer assistance. It's currently only officers performing their duties."

"I emerged to understand the situation because I heard several rotorcraft."

"The situation is awful. We're a peaceful neighborhood, we seek no trouble. We do not desire any of this."

"In my opinion the officers' actions has been absolutely brilliant. They got here really, really quickly."

Chava Lewin, who stated she was a observant Jewish person, is a direct neighbor to the synagogue.

She said: "I was in the vicinity and noticed a impact noise and I thought it could be a explosion."

"I contacted a person who explained she was traveling and saw a car swerving dangerously and it crashed into the barriers [of the synagogue]."

"Immediately after he got out of the car he commenced assaulting anyone near him. He targeted the guard and tried to break into the synagogue. He was in the courtyard."

"An individual blocked access. People are in total dismay."

A different individual explained prayers had started when the incident happened but the clergy member, who was conducting the prayers, stayed composed and he and fellow worshippers led the congregation to a secure location.

He continued: "These individuals represent real courage."