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Information continue to emerge regarding the background of Jihad Al-Shamie, known to be a thirty-five-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent.

Al-Shamie apparently entered the UK as a young child and received British citizenship in 2006, at approximately the age of 16.

He lived in Prestwich, Manchester, and his family today released a declaration saying: "We fully dissociate ourselves from this incident and express our deep shock and grief over what has occurred.

"Our hearts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones, and we pray for their strength and solace."

Residents in Prestwich described Al-Shamie as a fitness devotee who rarely engaged with his those living nearby.

They said he would occasionally dress in western clothes and at other moments in "cultural" Syrian garments.

What has his relatives state?

On behalf the Al-Shamie family both domestically and internationally, Faraj Al-Shamie said: "The news from Manchester regarding the terrorist attack aimed at a place of Jewish worship has been a deeply disturbing event to us.

"The Al-Shamie family everywhere strongly condemns this heinous act, which affected non-combatant individuals.

"We fully separate ourselves from this attack and express our intense astonishment and sorrow over what has transpired. Our condolences and sentiments are with the injured and their families, and we pray for their resilience and peace.

"We ask that all media outlets respect the privacy of the family during this very difficult time and refrain from employing this sad occurrence in any manner that does not reflect the facts.

"May God shows compassion on the blameless individuals, and we hope for the quick healing of the wounded."

What did local residents say?

Geoff Haliwell resides near a house in Langley Crescent, Prestwich, that is believed to be the Al-Shamie family home. It was searched by law enforcement on Thursday.

Mr Haliwell, 72, said the property was previously on his window-cleaning round and he was acquainted with the wider family "somewhat", noting they were "pleasant individuals".

"I was taken aback, I felt stunned," he remarked, mentioning that he believed the Al-Shamies relocated to the street approximately 15 years ago.

He said the parent had lived there for five or six years but then left the home, later visiting in a vehicle with French number plates.

He observed Jihad Al-Shamie would sometimes wear western clothes and other times traditional Syrian attire. He also noted Al-Shamie would use benches to exercise.

He added: "I would see him no less than once or twice a weekly, we just exchanged 'greetings'.

"I didn't even know his identity.

"He seemed like a straightforward, ordinary lad, no indication would be noticeable to make you suspect he was anything unusual."

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Another neighbour remembered a baby also living at the location but could not remember seeing a female living there.

She commented: "We often observed him out in the garden working out, lifting weights, press ups.

"He used to change his outfits.

"On one occasion he would be dressed in the full gown, to the floor and the next jeans and pyjama bottoms."

One more local informed the a newspaper: "I identified him from the images of the attacker. I recognised his small vehicle, the Kia, because he'd always park it incorrectly near our home.

"I observed him walking around in his pyjamas and casual footwear, carrying a bag from stores.

"He was quite muscular and used to keep his fitness equipment in his car port. I noticed them there."

"He did not appear to talk to anyone in this vicinity," they added.

Was he previously identified by authorities?

The individual's identity has not appeared in preliminary checks of police and security service counter-terrorism records, and he is not thought to have been subject to ongoing scrutiny.

Additional inquiries are in progress to determine if he appears in any records of other investigations.

It has been mentioned Al-Shamie used to work as a tutor teaching the English language and computer programming, and his father is a surgeon.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated she was "taken aback" by the name of the assailant.

Speaking on LBC, Ms Mahmood was asked about the individual's name, Jihad Al-Shamie, which presenter Nick Ferrari translated as "struggle of the Syrian".

She responded: "I was very surprised to learn that name myself.

"Actually, as a follower of Islam, I have not encountered someone being named Jihad, but it is the title that he was given at birth - that has always been his name."