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Details continue to emerge about the life of Jihad Al-Shamie, known to be a thirty-five-year-old UK national of Syrian descent.

The individual apparently came to the UK as a young child and received British citizenship in 2006, when he was around the age of 16.

He resided in the Manchester area of Prestwich, and his relatives recently issued a declaration saying: "We fully distance ourselves from this incident and express our deep shock and grief over what has happened.

"Our hearts and thoughts are with the those affected and their loved ones, and we hope for their strength and comfort."

People in Prestwich portrayed Al-Shamie as a fitness devotee who rarely interacted with his those living nearby.

They said he would sometimes appear in casual attire and other times in "traditional" Syrian dress.

What has his family say?

On behalf the Al-Shamie household in the UK and abroad, Faraj Al-Shamie said: "Reports from Manchester regarding the terrorist attack targeting a Jewish synagogue has been a profound shock to us.

"Our family in the UK and abroad vehemently denounces this heinous act, which affected peaceful, innocent civilians.

"We fully distance ourselves from this attack and express our intense astonishment and sorrow over what has happened. Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their kin, and we pray for their strength and comfort.

"We kindly request that all press organizations respect the privacy of the family during this extremely challenging time and abstain from using this sad occurrence in any manner that does not reflect the truth.

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

What did neighbors 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 used to be on his window-cleaning round and he knew the extended family "a little", saying they were "pleasant individuals".

"I was astonished, I was shocked," he remarked, adding that he thought the Al-Shamies moved to the area about 15 years ago.

He indicated the father had lived there for several 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 on other occasions traditional Syrian dress. He also noted Al-Shamie would utilize public seats to exercise.

He continued: "I would see him at least a couple of times a weekly, we just exchanged 'hello'.

"I was unaware of his identity.

"He seemed like a ordinary, regular young man, no indication would stand out to make you think he was different."

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Another neighbour remembered a infant also residing at the address but could not remember noticing a woman living there.

She commented: "We used to see him out in the garden exercising, doing weights, press ups.

"He frequently altered his clothes.

"On one occasion he would be dressed in the full-length robe, to the floor and the next denim and pyjama bottoms."

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

"I observed him walking around in his sleepwear and slip-on sandals, holding a bag from stores.

"He was quite bulked-up and often stored his exercise weights in his car port. I noticed them there."

"He did not appear to talk to anyone around here," they added.

Was he previously identified by authorities?

The individual's identity has not appeared in preliminary checks of law enforcement and security service databases, and he is not thought to have been under current investigation.

Additional inquiries are in progress to see if he is listed anywhere files of previous probes.

There are reports Al-Shamie was previously employed as a tutor teaching English and coding, and his parent is a medical doctor.

The interior minister Shabana Mahmood said she was "surprised" by the attacker's name.

Commenting on a radio station, Ms Mahmood was questioned about the attacker's name, Jihad Al-Shamie, which presenter Nick Ferrari interpreted as "struggle of the Syrian".

She said: "I was very surprised to discover that name myself.

"Actually, as a Muslim, I have not encountered someone being named Jihad, but it is the name that he was given at birth - that has consistently remained his name."