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

The individual apparently entered the UK during his early youth and was granted British citizenship in 2006, at approximately the age of 16.

He lived in Prestwich, Manchester, and his relatives today issued a statement saying: "We fully dissociate ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow over what has happened.

"Our sympathies and prayers are with the those affected and their loved ones, and we hope for their strength and solace."

Residents in Prestwich described Al-Shamie as a weightlifting enthusiast who rarely interacted with his neighbors.

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

What has his relatives state?

On behalf the Al-Shamie family both domestically and internationally, Faraj Al-Shamie said: "The news from Manchester concerning the terrorist attack targeting a place of Jewish worship has been a profound shock to us.

"Our family everywhere strongly condemns this heinous act, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians.

"We fully separate ourselves from this attack and communicate our intense astonishment and sorrow over what has transpired. Our hearts and thoughts are with the injured and their families, and we pray for their strength and peace.

"We ask that all media outlets honor the privacy of the family during this extremely challenging time and abstain from using this tragic event in any manner that does not reflect the truth.

"We hope God have mercy on the blameless individuals, and we pray for the quick healing of the wounded."

What were local residents say?

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

Mr Haliwell, 72, said the dwelling was previously on his cleaning route and he knew the extended family "a little", noting they were "really nice people".

"I was astonished, I felt stunned," he said, adding that he thought the Al-Shamies moved to the street approximately 15 years ago.

He said the parent had resided there for five or six years but then left the residence, subsequently returning in a car with French number plates.

He said Jihad Al-Shamie would at times be seen in modern clothing and on other occasions traditional Syrian attire. He also noted Al-Shamie would use public seats to exercise.

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

"I was unaware of his name.

"He seemed like a ordinary, ordinary lad, nothing would be noticeable to make you suspect he was anything unusual."

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

She commented: "We often observed him outside in the yard exercising, lifting weights, press ups.

"He frequently altered his clothes.

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

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

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

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

"He never seemed to talk to anybody in this vicinity," they added.

Had he been known to authorities?

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

Additional inquiries are in progress to determine if he appears in any records of previous probes.

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

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

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

She responded: "It was unexpected to learn that designation myself.

"In fact, 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."