Greater Manchester Police is taking action following reports that some individuals celebrated the tragic mass shooting in Bondi, Sydney, which left 15 dead during Hanukkah festivities.
Sir Stephen Watson, Chief Constable of GMP, revealed that the attack has heightened fear among Jewish communities across the UK, with schoolgirls even requesting armed police escorts to attend holiday events safely.
Rising Tensions Across Communities
The Bondi attack comes after a spate of anti-Semitic incidents in Manchester, including the October 2 Heaton Park synagogue attack.
Sir Stephen described the growing climate of fear: “The intolerable h
as become normalised, and has almost become accepted as the way that things are. I suspect what we saw in Sydney exacerbates that.”
Disturbing Reports of Celebration
Watson called it “sickeningly distasteful” that people in Manchester were reported celebrating the Bondi massacre.
Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, he recounted that groups of ten-year-old girls asked for armed police to accompany them to Hanukkah parties.
“You cannot say that is a ridiculous request; you understand from whence it comes,” he said.
Crackdown on Hate Speech
In response to rising threats, GMP and the Metropolitan Police have launched joint efforts to arrest those making anti-Semitic chants during protests.
Phrases like “globalise the intifada” are being treated as encouragement to attack Jewish communities.
Sir Stephen warned: “If you do that this weekend, my officers will arrest you.
That is a straightforward reflection of the fact that the dynamic is changing.”
Arrests and Enforcement
Manchester police have already more than doubled their arrests in response to these threats.
While some slogans, such as “river to the sea,” have contested interpretations, officers are prepared to act if they are used in a threatening context outside synagogues or places of worship.
“There is no reticence in that respect,” Sir Stephen stressed.
The Bondi Attack
The Sydney attack was carried out by Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, during a Hanukkah celebration at Archer Park.
Sajid Akram was shot dead by police, while Naveed faces 59 charges.
Two officers were wounded in the exchange, and the horrifying events have sent shockwaves worldwide.
Rising Terror Arrests in the UK
The Bondi massacre has coincided with a sharp increase in terrorism-related arrests in the UK.
According to new Home Office figures, 1,706 terror-related arrests occurred from July to September, up from 63 in the previous quarter.
Over the year ending September, 1,886 arrests were made, the highest on record, with 86 percent connected to support for Palestine Action following its ban in July.
Growing Concerns for Safety
Sir Stephen emphasized that these figures reflect a changing landscape for UK law enforcement and the urgent need to protect vulnerable communities.
“The fear, particularly amongst our Jewish communities, has got worse.
And the grounds that underpin the fear have become more realistic,” he said, underlining the gravity of the situation.
Authorities Urge Vigilance
Police are calling on communities to remain vigilant and report any threats, while continuing proactive measures to prevent further violence.
The combination of recent international events, online celebrations of atrocities, and rising extremist activity has created an environment where swift and decisive law enforcement action is essential.
Looking Ahead
As authorities continue to monitor the situation, Greater Manchester Police and the Met are committed to ensuring safety at community events, including religious celebrations, and cracking down on hate speech and extremist activity wherever it emerges.
The focus remains on protecting vulnerable populations and maintaining public confidence in the face of unprecedented challenges.
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