Two men arrested by counter-terrorism officers in Manchester are suspected of planning an attack against the city’s Jewish community, police have said.
Specialist Metropolitan Police officers detained the pair in Manchester’s Northern Quarter on Sunday and later searched a nearby hostel.
The arrests took place on the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, and almost a year after the deadly attack at Heaton Park Synagogue, where Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed.
The Metropolitan Police said the investigation concerns a suspected terrorist plot targeting the Jewish community in the Manchester area. Officers added that they did not believe there was any “ongoing threat to the public”.
The two men, both aged in their 30s, were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences and remain in police custody.
Sources said the alleged plan is believed to have been driven by Islamist extremism, although the investigation is still in its early stages.
The suspected target was reportedly religious events taking place for Yom Kippur. A rapid investigation began after authorities received information indicating that the threat could be imminent.
No explosives or firearms have been recovered, according to reports. However, sources cautioned that it is too soon to say how the alleged attack may have been intended to take place.
Police guard an address in Manchester after two men were arrested over an alleged terror plot targeting the city’s Jewish community
The raids took place on the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest date in the Jewish calendar, amid heightened security concerns following last year’s deadly attack at Heaton Park Synagogue
If confirmed, the alleged plot would mark the third terrorist targeting of the area in two years.
Marc Levy, chief executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, said: “Yesterday marked one year since Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were murdered in a terrorist attack against our community on Yom Kippur.
“The fact that a terrorist plot was foiled on that anniversary, and that it could once again have targeted Jews in Manchester, makes this an exceptionally worrying time for Jewish people across the UK.
“We are deeply grateful to Greater Manchester Police, the Metropolitan Police and the security services for preventing another potential tragedy, as well as for the extensive protection they continue to provide.
“But we must repeat that security can only address the symptoms.
“A year after Melvin and Adrian were murdered, the Government must intensify efforts to confront the roots of the hatred and extremism promoted in places of worship and other community settings, which continue to inspire attacks on Jews.
“We cannot focus solely on protecting our community from the next attack. Much more must be done to prevent people from becoming motivated to carry one out in the first place.”
The Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors antisemitism in the UK, said: “This is utterly chilling, coming so soon before the anniversary of last year’s terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue. It is another stark reminder of the serious terrorist threat facing Jewish communities at this time.
“We thank the police and other agencies for their efforts to protect the Jewish community and wider British society from terrorism.
“We urge members of the Jewish community to remain calm but vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity to police by calling 999, followed by the CST.”
And the Campaign Against Antisemitism said: ‘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.’
The arrests come almost 12 months after knife-wielding Islamic State supporter Jihad Al-Shamie tried to force his way into the Heaton Park Synagogue on last year’s Yom Kippur, October 2.
Al-Shamie – who was wearing a fake suicide belt, and rang 999 during his atrocity saying ‘I have killed two Jews in the name of Islamic State’ – had already stabbed Mr Cravitz, 66.
Police cordoned off a white Mercedes Benz in Newton Street near the centre of Manchester on Sunday after arresting the two suspects
As a police marksman fired his Glock pistol at the terrorist, an inquest earlier this month heard how one round tragically struck both Mr Daulby, 53, who was bravely helping to barricade the doors, causing fatal injuries, and also 39-year-old Yoni Finlay, who survived.
The year before a terrorist attack on the same Jewish community planned by Walid Saadaoui, 38, the former owner of an Italian restaurant in Great Yarmouth, and Amar Hussein, 52, a former Iraqi soldier who worked in an appliance store in Bolton, was foiled after they unwittingly bought assault rifles, handguns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition from an undercover officer.
Saadaoui was sentenced to life in jail with a minimum of 37 years and Hussein to life with a minimum of 26 years in February.
Today, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, senior national co-ordinator for counter terrorism policing, said: ‘This has been a long-running proactive investigation which has led to the disruption of what we believe to be a plot to target the Jewish community in the Manchester area.
‘Counter terrorism policing continue to focus our efforts on identifying and disrupting those who wish to cause harm in our communities.’
‘We are acutely aware this news will cause further concern to the Jewish community, as well as the wider public, especially given the significant High Holy Day period.
‘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.
‘And more broadly, across the country CTP is working with local police forces to provide protective security support and advice for areas with Jewish communities, and particularly during the High Holy Day period.
‘As we have shown with these arrests, where we suspect there could be a threat to the public, then we will not hesitate to investigate and take action.
‘We are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry and we anticipate these will continue over the coming days as this investigation continues.
‘Importantly, we do not believe there to be any ongoing threat to the public in relation to this matter, but as ever, we would ask that people remain vigilant and contact police with any concerns.’
Earlier today police in Manchester pledged a ‘robust’ operation to protect the city’s Jewish population throughout this week’s High Holy Days period.
Chief Superintendent Dave Meeney, of Greater Manchester Police, said: ‘We’re well aware 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.
‘We recognise and understand this concern, and 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.
‘Our priority is always the safety of the public and, while we don’t currently believe there is any ongoing risk to our communities linked to Counter Terrorism Policing’s activity in Greater Manchester this week, we’ll continue to listen and respond to your concerns in the most proportionate and effective way.’
