Police presence within Jewish communities across Salford will be stepped up after the terror attack at a Manchester Synagogue.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed extra officers will be deployed to provide a “high visibility” presence within Jewish communities in Salford, as well as across North Manchester and Bury.
Earlier this morning, two men killed in the terror attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall were named by police.
Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, died after Jihad Al-Shamie drove into a group of people outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall before stabbing a man, Greater Manchester Police confirmed.
Three other people remain in hospital with serious injuries following the attack, which took place on Judaism’s holiest day, Yom Kippur.
Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot and killed by armed police officers within seven minutes of the initial call to police, Greater Manchester Police chief constable Sir Stephen Watson said.
He was wearing a vest which looked like an explosive device at the time of the attack, but after a bomb disposal unit was sent to the synagogue, the device was deemed inoperable.
Police have confirmed that two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s were arrested yesterday and are being held in custody on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.
GMP explained there will be an increased police presence within Jewish communities in Salford, North Manchester and Bury, with increased visits to places of worship expected.
City of Manchester district commander Chief Superintendent David Meeney said: “We have taken this action to ensure that our Jewish communities and wider communities within Greater Manchester feel safe and reassured following yesterday’s tragic incident in Crumpsall.
“People in North Manchester, Bury, Salford, within Jewish communities, and around synagogues can expect to see uniformed officers on patrol in vehicles and on foot throughout today, into this evening, and over the weekend.
“They are there to reassure you and, whilst they may not be able to answer questions about the investigation, they will be happy to reassure you about the actions we are taking to ensure communities are safe and feel safe.
“We are conscious of the significance of Fridays and Saturdays in the Jewish faith, and will be doing everything we can to help communities mark Shabbat with their families and friends as they wish.”
Salford Royal was one of four hospitals in Greater Manchester put on lockdown following the attack, with some visitors temporarily unable to access the premises following the declaration of a major incident.
The hospital, which is part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, has since been reopened and is back to full functionality.
Northern Care Alliance are urging patients “to attend for their treatment and appointments as planned unless told otherwise by the service they are attending.”
An anonymous source confirmed that the hospital had been put on lockdown following the declaration of a major incident in response to the attack. Northern Care Alliance has since confirmed that Salford Royal Hospital was locked down “for a short time” yesterday morning.
The perpetrator, Al-Shamie, 35, is understood to have entered the UK as a young child and been granted British citizenship in 2006 when he was around the age of 16. He had not been referred to the Prevent programme – the government’s strategy to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
It is understood his name has not appeared in initial searches of police and security service records, and he is not thought to have been under investigation.
Although the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has said it is “too early” to say if there was a terrorist cell behind the attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, however yesterday police declared the attack a “terrorist incident.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes, who is co-ordinating the casualty response, said: “My deepest sympathies are with Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz’s loved ones at this extremely hard time.
“Specially trained family liaison officers are in contact with them. They will continue to update them on the investigation and support them throughout the coronial process
“Whilst there are processes which must be followed, we commit to being mindful of cultural preferences and sensitivities and to ensuring that these men and their loved ones’ wishes are respected.”
Greater Manchester Police said while formal identification is yet to take place, the families of Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz, both from Crumpsall, have been informed and offered support by family liaison officers. Post-mortems will take place this morning.
GMP said officers were “working to understand the motivation behind the attack” and confirmed the killer had not been referred to the Government’s Prevent anti-radicalisation scheme.
Al-Shamie appears to have lived in Prestwich, around two miles from the scene.
His name is linked to a property in the town and a neighbour recognised his face from photographs of the synagogue attacker.
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