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European Jewish News · Jul 23, 2026

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UK: A police chief has apologised after admitting phones belonging to Manchester synagogue attacker Jihad Al-Shamie were seized twice before the attack but not examined. Al-Shamie, 35, was on bail for a separate alleged offence when he carried out the 2 October 2025 terror attack on Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall, in which two Jewish men were killed. Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said he was "deeply sorry", admitting that "the information contained within these devices would have inspired further investigative action". The apology came as Mohammad Bashir was jailed for life for plotting a separate attack at a UK Defence Academy with Al-Shamie. WhatsApp messages between the pair included exalting martyrdom and posts "about exterminating Jewish men". Join EJN:

UK: A police chief has apologised after admitting phones belonging to Manchester synagogue attacker Jihad Al-Shamie were seized twice before the attack but not examined. Al-Shamie, 35, was on bail for a separate alleged offence when he carried out the 2 October 2025 terror attack on Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall, in which two Jewish men were killed. Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said he was "deeply sorry", admitting that "the information contained within these devices would have inspired further investigative action". The apology came as Mohammad Bashir was jailed for life for plotting a separate attack at a UK Defence Academy with Al-Shamie. WhatsApp messages between the pair included exalting martyrdom and posts "about exterminating Jewish men". Join EJN: https://wa.me/447443160130?text=Hi!%20I%20would%20like%20to%20subscribe%20to%20the%20EJN.%20My%20name%20is:%20

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