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Information continue to emerge about the background of Jihad Al-Shamie, understood to be a thirty-five-year-old UK national of Syrian descent.

The individual apparently entered the UK during his early youth and received British citizenship in 2006, when he was around the age of 16.

He resided in the Manchester area of Prestwich, and his family today released a declaration saying: "We completely dissociate ourselves from this incident and express our profound dismay and grief over what has happened.

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

People in Prestwich described Al-Shamie as a fitness devotee who rarely interacted with his neighbors.

They said he would sometimes appear in casual attire and other times in "cultural" Syrian garments.

What has his relatives say?

On behalf the Al-Shamie family in the UK and abroad, Faraj Al-Shamie said: "The news from Manchester concerning the terrorist attack targeting a Jewish synagogue has been a deeply disturbing event to us.

"Our family in the UK and abroad strongly condemns this atrocious deed, which affected peaceful, innocent civilians.

"We entirely distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow over what has transpired. Our hearts and thoughts are with the injured and their kin, and we pray for their strength and comfort.

"We ask that all media outlets honor the family's privacy during this extremely challenging time and refrain from employing this sad occurrence in any manner that does not reflect the facts.

"May God shows compassion on the innocent victims, and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured."

What were neighbors observing?

Geoff Haliwell resides close to a residence in Langley Crescent, Prestwich, that is believed to be the Al-Shamie family home. It was raided by police officers on Thursday.

Mr Haliwell, 72, explained the property was previously on his cleaning route and he was acquainted with the wider family "a little", saying they were "pleasant individuals".

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

He indicated the father had resided there for several years but then departed from the home, subsequently visiting in a car with French number plates.

He said Jihad Al-Shamie would sometimes be seen in western clothes and other times conventional Syrian dress. He also said Al-Shamie would use benches to exercise.

He continued: "I encountered him at least once or twice a weekly, we just exchanged 'greetings'.

"I was unaware of his name.

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

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A different resident remembered a infant also living at the location but could not recall noticing a woman staying there.

She commented: "We often observed him outside in the yard working out, doing weights, press ups.

"He frequently altered his outfits.

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

Another resident informed the a newspaper: "I recognised him from the images of the attacker. I noticed his small vehicle, the Kia, because he'd consistently park it badly outside ours.

"I observed him strolling in his sleepwear and slip-on sandals, holding a shopping bag.

"He appeared muscular and used to keep his exercise weights in his garage. I'd see them there."

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

Had he been known to officials?

The individual's identity has not been found in initial searches of law enforcement and intelligence agency counter-terrorism records, and he is not thought to have been under current investigation.

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

There are reports Al-Shamie was previously employed as a tutor educating in English and computer programming, and his parent is a surgeon.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was "taken aback" by the attacker's name.

Commenting on LBC, Ms Mahmood was questioned about the attacker's name, Jihad Al-Shamie, which presenter Nick Ferrari interpreted as "conflict related to Syria".

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

"Actually, as a Muslim, I've never heard someone being called Jihad, but it is the name that he was born with - that has always been his identity."