Leaders praise ‘exemplary’ 999 response to Crumpsall synagogue attack

Andy Burnham, the deputy mayor, and Greater Manchester’s 10 council leaders have described the emergency services’ response to the ‘cowardly’ terror attack at a Crumpsall synagogue as ‘exemplary’.

It took police only three minutes to deploy cops to Heaton Park synagogue. Just seven minutes after the first 999 call, firearms officers shot the attacker, 35-year-old British citizen Jihad Al-Shammie, dead. Paramedics arrived on the scene 10 minutes after the first call.

Two men, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, died in the incident. It has since been confirmed by chief constable Sir Stephen Watson one of the innocent men was killed accidentally by a police shot, and another person was injured by a police shot.

“The Home Office Pathologist has advised that he has provisionally determined that one of the deceased victims would appear to have suffered a wound consistent with a gunshot injury,” Sir Stephen said this morning (October 3).

“It is currently believed that the suspect, Jihad Al Shamie, was not in possession of a firearm and the only shots fired were from GMP’s Authorised Firearms Officers as they worked to prevent the offender from entering the synagogue and causing further harm to our Jewish community.

“It follows therefore, that subject to further forensic examination, this injury may sadly have been sustained as a tragic and unforeseen consequence of the urgently required action taken by my officers to bring this vicious attack to an end.”

The Manchester Evening News has reported the two men mistakenly fired-at by police were shot through a door, blockading Al-Shamie from entering the synagogue.

This lunchtime, Greater Manchester’s 10 council leaders and mayor Andy Burnham, plus deputy mayor Kate Green, have issued a statement praising the 999 response, and again calling for unity across the city.

They said: “Yesterday’s attack on a community at prayer goes against everything we stand for as a city region. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this horrific antisemitic attack, especially the families of those who have died and those injured. 

“We know this is a time of sorrow and fear for our Jewish friends and neighbours. We stand with you as you grieve and offer our full support and love. 

“We are thankful for the quick and coordinated response of our emergency services. Greater Manchester Police were at the scene within minutes and our firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and staff from North West Ambulance Service also provided emergency care at the scene. This was an exemplary blue light response. 

“We are also grateful to the Community Security Trust, for their volunteers’ quick actions and support at the scene, and for their ongoing work to protect communities.  

“This was a cowardly attack on people marking the holiest day of the Jewish year and we know it has left many people feeling afraid. 
“Our councils, emergency services, and community leaders are all working tirelessly to keep us all safe. And our interfaith network has mobilised messages of support and solidarity to our places of worship. 

“Greater Manchester will never stand aside when one of our communities is attacked. Nor will we let acts designed to cause hatred divide us. We’re grateful to all those people from different faiths and communities who are offering support to our Jewish community.  

“Our greatest strength as a city region has always been that we know we are stronger together. Now is a time to look out for each other, to check in on each other and to stand together.”

The statement was signed by Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester mayor), Kate Green (deputy Greater Manchester mayor), Coun Nick Peel (Bolton council leader), Eamonn O’Brien (Bury leader), Bev Craig (Manchester leader), Arooj Shah (Oldham leader), Neil Emmott (Rochdale leader), Paul Dennett (city mayor of Salford), Mark Roberts (Stockport leader), Eleanor Wills (Tameside leader), Tom Ross (Trafford leader), and David Molyneux (Wigan leader).