A 55-year-old man has been charged following an incident at Manchester Central Mosque earlier this week.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that Darren Connor, described in court documents as a white British man of Gorton Road, Stockport, has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and possession of a Class B controlled drug.
The charges relate to an incident on 24 February 2026 at Manchester Central Mosque. According to court documents, Connor is accused of entering the mosque with an axe, a Stanley knife and a hammer.
The first charge states that on 24 February 2026, in Manchester, he allegedly had with him in a public place (a mosque) an offensive weapon without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, specifically an axe, a Stanley knife and a hammer.
The second charge alleges that on the same date he was found in possession of cannabis or cannabis resin, classified as a Class B controlled drug.
Connor has been remanded in custody and was due to appear at Manchester Magistrates Court on Friday, 27 February.
Police also confirmed that a second man who had been arrested in connection with the incident will face no further action and has been released.
The investigation remains ongoing.
