1. Doors and Gates – the main gate and door need to be closed at all times where possible. We will discuss the practicalities of this with the security team.

2. All security personnel MUST wear stab vests.

3. Check and double check you know how to close and lock the door you are guarding quickly if needed.

4. We will position cars in front of the gates during davening. Again, practicalities will be discussed with security personnel and relevant individuals.

5. Check you know how to use the radio and the mobile phone near the main entrance.

6. No children or adults should be outside Shul at any time.

7. In the event of an ongoing incident please move away from any doors or windows. The safest place is the Nat Berkeley room.

8. There will be increased police presence over the next few weeks.

9. Please only enter and exit the Shul from the main pedestrian gate and NOT the gate to the rear of the carpark.

Adam Levene, Security Officer

Message from Amanda Bomsztyk, CST

I write this email with the heaviest of hearts, following the appalling and deeply shocking terrorist attack that took place at Heaton Park Synagogue last week. That such violence was inflicted on a place of worship, on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, has left us all reeling with grief, anger, and disbelief. For decades our CST staff and volunteers, joined by shul members, have guarded our families, our friends: our community here in Manchester.  

Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victims, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, who so tragically lost their lives. We are grateful for the courageous and swift response of Greater Manchester Police, the Ambulance Service, and the many others, including the Rabbi, congregants, security guards, and CST volunteers, whose actions prevented this attack from becoming even more devastating.

Our thoughts remain with those still in hospital, including a CST volunteer who was doing his shul rota security that morning, and was injured while protecting others. We are immensely proud of his bravery and deeply thankful for his selfless service.

I want to explain CST’s work and to assure you of our absolute determination to protect our schools, our shuls and our community across Manchester.

For decades we have worked with and guided our communal locations in matters of security, from shul rota training to advice on building security and through financial contributions from CST funds. We have also assisted with administration of the government grant that supplies guards to locations – including the non-CST guard who was injured in this attack.

We have invested millions of pounds in security equipment, such as the reinforced doors that helped keep the terrorist out of the shul, whilst congregants bravely rushed to help keep them closed.

Now we must face up to what happens next. I assure you that CST will do everything it can to protect our community and to help give it strength to get through tough weeks and months ahead. That requires partnership, with police, with government, but also with all of you.  

We need you to tell us, promptly, about suspicious behaviour and antisemitic incidents. We need you to cooperate with security measures and we need more people to join CST, so that we can give more protection. 

If you need advice and guidance, we need you to email into us at enquiries@cst.org.uk so we can review your requests and do our very best to help ensure they are met. I know you will want everything doing immediately and we will do our absolute best to help in any way we can. Please afford us some time with this process. 

In the second week of October, you will very probably see news about a large-scale terrorist trial that is due to begin. It will show an alleged plot against our community and, I regret to say, it will be another stark example of why we all need to play our part in our community’s security.  

Here is a letter from the Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson (SEE BELOW) to give you a greater understanding of the situation.

I believe that CST has always stood strong in the protection of our community: and even more so in the last two years, since 7 October 2023. I hope this has helped to encourage and enable many of you to keep leading the Jewish life of your choice. I pledge that we will keep standing strong, together with you. 

Here is a letter from the Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson

The horrific events outside the Heaton Park Synagogue on Yom Kippur remain fresh in our minds as we enter the seven days of Sukkot. We continue to hold all in our Jewish community close to our hearts; and in our thoughts and prayers. The immediate bravery of those extraordinary people engaged in security at the synagogue, and of the worshippers within, denied a vicious and determined attacker entry; and prevented him from inflicting even more harm. Their heroic and selfless actions undoubtedly saved lives. I am grateful to all of those who had the presence of mind to immediately call the police such that my professional officers were able to respond so swiftly and to neutralise the threat.

We have substantially increased our visible and covert presence across the city-region. During this weekend alone, we have conducted around 4,000 visits to places of worship. We have focused particularly on providing a high-visibility presence within our Jewish communities. Our aim is to provide reassurance, deterrence and defence. My officers and staff remain steadfast in their absolute determination to confront and prevent anyone from causing any further harm to those whom we are proud to serve. This wicked attack upon Jews on the streets of Manchester is an attack upon all decent people from across our entire country and beyond. We all stand with you as we work to defeat the barbarity of those so twisted by hatefulness and malevolence.

The fact that this week will see the start of a separate counter-terrorism trial at Preston Crown Court, which also centres upon Greater Manchester, will likely generate a degree of further anxiety. This particular trial, scheduled to last for some 12 weeks, involves three men who have been charged in connection with a terrorist plot to target the Jewish community in our region. There is no link between this alleged conspiracy and the attack in Crumpsall last week. The suspects were arrested and charged in May 2024, following a long-running intelligence-led operation. The operation was very carefully managed to ensure there was no risk to the public.

As the evidence in this case is presented to the court and reported upon however, I am acutely aware of potential for the emerging detail to have a further unsettling effect on our Jewish community in particular. I am constrained in commenting on this case in any more detail given the potential to otherwise prejudice proceedings; and it of course essential that the trial is in no way tainted by speculation or inappropriate commentary. I did however just want to take this opportunity to assure you that every available officer in Greater Manchester will continue to be deployed over the coming days and weeks in a manner which I hope will provide reassurance.

As ever, GMP are being fully supported throughout this difficult time by the profoundly professional Community Security Trust. Your safety is GMP’s absolute priority and our actions are all designed to achieve this most important objective. Please continue to speak to our officers, tell us your concern and don’t hesitate to report anything suspicious to us immediately.

Despite the unwelcome presence of such much concern and distress at present, I do hope that you and your families are able to enjoy a peaceful and pleasant Sukkot.

All within GMP will be working tirelessly to ensure that you can.

Sir Stephen Watson QPM,

Chief Constable Greater Manchester Police