Greater Manchester Police apologise for missed opportunities in synagogue attack
Greater Manchester Police have apologised for missed opportunities that could have prevented a synagogue attack, following a review of their handling of the case.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Greater Manchester Police have apologised for failing to examine mobile phones seized from Jihad Alshami, the man who carried out a deadly attack on a synagogue in Manchester last October. The force admitted it missed two opportunities that could have prevented the attack, in which two Jewish men were killed.
Alshami was shot dead by armed officers at the scene of the attack on the Heaton Park synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. He was on bail for an alleged rape at the time. Months before the attack, police had seized his phones twice during arrests for non-terror related offences, but the devices were not examined. A review later found that the phones contained evidence of his extremist mindset.
The chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, Stephen Watson, issued a public apology. He said: "Regrettably, I can confirm that the significance of the information stored on Alshami's devices was not realised as they had not been examined before the attack took place." He described the failure as a "missed opportunity" and expressed deep regret for adding to the distress of the victims' families.
New details also emerged during the sentencing of Mohammed Bashir, an accomplice of Alshami in a separate plot. The two men had planned an attack on the MOD's UK Defence Academy in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire. They made a 10-hour road trip to reconnoitre the base and took notes on how to get inside. Bashir was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 17 years. The judge described the synagogue attack as "an appalling terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community."
Jewish leaders in Manchester have expressed support for the police, praising their response on the day of the attack. However, the missed opportunities are now being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The case has raised serious questions about how police handle digital evidence in cases involving suspects who may pose a terrorist threat.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One | Channel 4 | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alshami's phones were seized during arrests for unrelated offences including rape, but were not examined before the attack. | ||||
| Alshami attacked the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue on 2 October 2025 during Yom Kippur, causing the death of two people and himself. | · | |||
| Bashir drove Alshami to a Ministry of Defence site at Shrivenham on 14 August 2025 for hostile reconnaissance. | · | |||
| Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson apologised for failing to search Alshami's mobile phones before the attack. | · | |||
| Mohammed Bashir was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years for his role in a terror plot. | · | |||
| Jihad Alshami was on bail for an alleged rape when he carried out the synagogue attack. | · | · | · | |
| Police had no prior suspicion of Alshami being involved in extremism. | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The BBC report focused on the timeline of events, the apology from the chief constable, and the sentencing of Mohammed Bashir. It included a personal reaction from Mark Levy, whose father helped barricade the synagogue doors, and emphasised the independent review. The tone was factual and balanced, with a clear narrative of missed opportunities.
- “The chief constable of Greater Manchester Police has now apologised, saying, regrettably, I can confirm that the significance of the information stored on Alshami's devices was not realised as they had not been examined before the attack took place.”
- “It was my father who had to barricade the door and keep the terrorists out. So this is deeply personal to me.”
Channel 4's coverage highlighted the missed opportunities in a more dramatic, investigative style, using phrases like 'dramatic admission' and 'troubling question'. It provided a detailed chronological account of Alshami's arrests and the reconnaissance mission with Bashir. The report also included a strong quote from the chief constable's apology and a reaction from Mark Levy, whose father was involved.
- “But today, a dramatic admission has raised a troubling question. Did Greater Manchester Police miss vital chances to prevent the synagogue attack?”
- “There can be little doubt that the information contained within these devices would have inspired further investigative action. It is clear that our not having reviewed the data available to us prior to the attack constitutes a missed opportunity.”
ITV1's report focused on the emotional impact and the 'uncomfortable admission' from the chief constable. It included a detailed timeline of events and noted that police had no prior suspicion of extremism. The report also highlighted the Jewish community's continued support for the police despite the failures. The tone was sombre and reflective, with a strong emphasis on the 'what-ifs'.
- “Today, the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester made the most uncomfortable of admissions and the most sorrowful of apologies.”
- “I'm disappointed at the prospect of adding to the distress of all those affected by the terrible events last October. For this, I am deeply sorry.”
Broadcast Timeline
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