More than 150 people, including the Chief Rabbi of Russia, were trapped in a Moscow synagogue last night after an attacker attempted to enter the building.

The man, believed to be Russian, approached the Moscow Choral Synagogue as congregants took part in an evening service just 24 hours before Rosh Hashanah.

Police reported the attacker had carried a gas canister and a pistol. A shul guard suffered a minor injury after being shot in a struggle with the man, who was arrested.

Jewish community leaders said security in the area will be increased for Yomtov services.

Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, Moscow’s chief rabbi and head of the Conference of European Rabbis, said: “The evening prayers were conducted as usual, and we will conduct the High Holiday prayers as usual.

“We work in conjunction with the Moscow police, and we call on the Jewish citizens of the Russian capital to join us in the New Year's prayer service as a sign of solidarity against antisemitism.”

Russian media claimed the attacker was a 40-year-old man with a history of mental illness.