Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, identified the attacker as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent who lived in Prestwich, Manchester.

“We believe the suspect, who died at the scene, was 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie. A suspicious device attached to his torso was examined and confirmed to be a fake,” Taylor told reporters.

He said Al-Shamie was not known to counter-terrorism investigators but had a criminal history. “This includes a recent arrest for rape, which resulted in him being bailed,” Taylor said.

Police believe Al-Shamie was influenced by “extreme Islamist ideology.”

Two victims were killed in the attack, identified as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66. Three other men remain in hospital with serious injuries.

Taylor said three additional people – one man and two women, aged between 18 and their mid-40s – have been arrested in connection with the case. “This brings the total number of people in custody on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism to six,” he said.

Police will seek warrants for further detention of all six suspects, Taylor added.