On October 2, 2025, a terrorist attack on the Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester resulted in the deaths of two worshippers, Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53. Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson has apologized for a "missed opportunity" to investigate the attacker, Jihad Al-Shamie, after it was revealed that police had seized his phones months before the attack but failed to access messages indicating his extremist mindset.

Investigation and Background

Al-Shamie's phones were seized on February 13, 2025, and again on September 21, 2025, following his arrests for breaching a non-molestation order and alleged rape, respectively. However, the significance of the data on these devices was not realized until after the attack, when conversations between Al-Shamie and Mohammad Bashir, 31, were discovered, including discussions about getting "war ready" and targeting Israeli soldiers at a UK training base.

Bashir, a delivery driver from Cheetham Hill, Manchester, was jailed for life for his role in plotting the attack, with a minimum term of 17 years. He had driven Al-Shamie on a reconnaissance mission to the UK Defence Academy at Shrivenham in Oxfordshire, where they planned to target Israeli soldiers. The pair's messages, which included references to martyrdom and extremist ideology, were only accessed after the attack.

Terrorism Probe and Aftermath

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an inquiry into the police handling of the case, while the inquest into the attack is expected to examine the issue further. The family of Melvin Cravitz has called for the inquest to investigate whether a timely review of the evidence could have prevented the attack. The Community Security Trust, a charity that works to protect the Jewish community, welcomed Bashir's life sentence but expressed concern that the possession and dissemination of terrorist publications are not being taken seriously enough.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts described Bashir as a "very dangerous man" who was an "equal partner" with Al-Shamie in the plot to attack the Defence Academy. The IOPC investigation will consider whether Greater Manchester Police missed any opportunities to prevent the attack and whether the handling of allegations against Al-Shamie, including rape and other sexual offenses, was adequate.

Next Steps and Implications

The inquest into the Manchester synagogue attack is expected to shed more light on the events leading up to the tragedy and whether any opportunities were missed to prevent it. The case highlights the importance of effective counter-terrorism efforts and the need for vigilance in identifying and investigating potential threats. As the investigation continues, the community affected by the attack will be watching closely for answers and assurances that such a tragedy will not happen again.

  • 2 worshippers died in the attack: Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53
  • Jihad Al-Shamie, the attacker, was killed by police during the incident
  • Mohammad Bashir, 31, was jailed for life for his role in plotting the attack
  • The IOPC is investigating the police handling of the case, including allegations of missed opportunities and inadequate handling of allegations against Al-Shamie