Two men arrested in Manchester over terror plot targeting Jewish community before Yom Kippur
Two men in their 30s were arrested in Manchester on Sunday on suspicion of plotting to attack the Jewish community ahead of Yom Kippur, police confirmed.
Manchester arrests: suspected terror plot foiled targeting Jewish community on Yom Kippur
Two men have been arrested in Manchester on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack on the Jewish community, irishtimes.com reports, with the arrests taking place hours before the start of Yom Kippur.
The men, both in their 30s, were detained on Newton Street on Sunday on suspicion of offences under UK terrorism legislation, according to the Metropolitan Police. Officers in forensic suits were photographed searching a white Mercedes car surrounded by police vehicles at the scene.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, of Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), said the arrests were the result of "a long-running, proactive investigation" that had led to the disruption of what police believe to be a plot to target the Jewish community in the Manchester area. She said detectives are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry but do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public in connection with this incident.
The men were taken to a London police station following their arrest and remain in custody. They can be held until Sunday 27th September.
'Utterly chilling' — a year after Heaton Park
The Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors antisemitism in the UK, described the suspected plot as "utterly chilling", noting that the arrests came close to the first anniversary of the terror attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, which took place on Yom Kippur last year.
On 2nd October last year, Jihad Al-Shamie (35) drove into the gates of Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue. He then attacked with a knife while wearing a fake suicide belt. Melvin Cravitz (66) was killed by multiple knife wounds inflicted by Al-Shamie. Adrian Daulby (53) died from a police gunshot fired during the response to the attack.
"This is utterly chilling, coming so close to the anniversary of the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue last year, and is another reminder of the serious terrorist threat facing Jewish communities in this current time," the CST said in a statement.
The CST added that it had been in close communication with police in Manchester and across the country throughout Yom Kippur and urged the Jewish community to "remain calm and alert, and to report any suspicious activity to police on 999 and then to CST."
Calls for action beyond security measures
The Jewish Representative Council for Greater Manchester said the arrests underline the need for the government to go further than security responses alone. "One year on from the murder of Melvin and Adrian, the government must redouble its efforts to tackle the root causes of the hatred and extremism that are espoused in places of worship and other community spaces that continue to motivate people to target Jews," the council said.
"We cannot simply keep protecting our community from the next attack but must do much more to stop people being motivated to carry one out in the first place."
A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism echoed that call. "We are grateful to the authorities for their vigilance. But the Jewish community cannot rely on that forever. The authorities need to get lucky every time and the terrorists only once. Until the threat itself is confronted, British Jews will never be safe."
Police presence maintained during High Holy Days
Evans offered reassurances that CTP is working closely with Greater Manchester Police and partner agencies. "I want to reassure them we are working incredibly closely with colleagues in Greater Manchester Police and partners to ensure we're doing everything we can to keep them and the wider public safe," she said.
She added that CTP is working with local police forces across the country to provide protective security support and advice for areas with Jewish communities, particularly during the High Holy Day period.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed it is maintaining a visible presence in local communities over the Jewish High Holy Days. Chief Superintendent Dave Meeney said the force recognises that "events over recent days will have only added to already heightened concerns in our Jewish communities, especially at such an important time of year."
"I want to make it absolutely clear that our work to provide as much visibility and security as we can through additional activity, which remains very much ongoing," Meeney said.
Yom Kippur, which ran from sundown on Sunday to nightfall on Monday, is widely regarded as the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)