Authorities are responding to a "major incident" outside a synagogue in northern England following reports a car was driven towards people and one man was stabbed.

Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester at 9.31am today (6.31pm AEST) and said four members of the public were injured.

Greater Manchester Police said police officers fired shots seven minutes later, hitting one man, believed to be the offender.

"Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41 and are tending to members of the public, currently four members of the public with injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds," police said.

"Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while the police continue to deal with the incident."

Police said they declared a major incident aft

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