Greater Manchester Police has apologised after admitting that mobile phones seized from Jihad Al-Shamie in the months before his attack on Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall were not examined. Al-Shamie, 35, was on bail for an alleged rape when he carried out the car and knife assault on 2 October last year, killing two Jewish men.
His devices were taken during an alleged rape arrest but not checked, and a court would later hear that they contained evidence of his extremist views. Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Sir Stephen Watson said the omission was a “missed opportunity” to investigate Al-Shamie before the attack.
Sir Stephen said an internal review had shown that GMP seized Al-Shamie’s mobile devices at the point of each arrest.
“In conducting an internal review, it became apparent that GMP had seized Al-Shamie's mobile devices, at the point of each arrest.
“The significance of the data contents of these devices was substantial in respect of evidencing an extremist mindset.
“I am disappointed at the prospect of adding to the distress of all of those affected by the terrible events last October.
Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed after Al-Shamie, from Prestwich, drove his Kia Picanto into the gates of the synagogue and then began attacking people with a knife. Worshippers had gathered to mark Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jews.
Al-Shamie, who was wearing a fake suicide belt, was killed by police gunfire at the scene.
What happened before the attack?
Al-Shamie was on bail for an alleged rape when he attacked the synagogue in Manchester on 2 October last year. Police later admitted that his phones had been seized during an alleged rape arrest but were not examined, despite the fact that a court would later hear they contained evidence of extremist views.
Why did the police chief apologise?
Sir Stephen Watson apologised because GMP’s internal review found the seized devices were not analysed, even though they contained substantial data relevant to an extremist mindset. He described the failure as a “missed opportunity” to investigate Al-Shamie before the attack and said he was sorry for the added distress caused to those affected by the events of last October.
What happened at Heaton Park Synagogue?
Al-Shamie, from Prestwich, used a Kia Picanto to drive into the gates of Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall and then launched a knife attack. Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed during the assault, which took place as worshippers gathered for Yom Kippur.
Police shot and killed Al-Shamie at the scene. He was wearing a fake suicide belt at the time of the attack.
Key Facts
- Jihad Al-Shamie was 35 and was on bail for an alleged rape when he attacked the synagogue.
- The attack took place on 2 October last year at Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall.
- Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed.
- Greater Manchester Police said phones seized from Al-Shamie were not examined.
- Sir Stephen Watson called the failure a “missed opportunity”.
