On October 2, 2025, the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, became the tragic site of a deadly terror attack that has shaken the city and left the UK’s Jewish community mourning and searching for answers. As investigations continue, the events of that Thursday morning and the days that followed have laid bare not only the horror of the attack itself but also the broader debates it has sparked around extremism, community safety, and the responsibility of public institutions.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the attack unfolded in chilling fashion: Jihad Al-Shamie, 35 and on bail for an alleged rape, first appeared outside the synagogue acting suspiciously before being confronted by security. He left, only to return 15 minutes later in a black Kia Picanto, driving into worshippers gathered outside for Yom Kippur—the holiest day in the Jewish calendar—before launching a knife assault. Police, alerted at 9:31 AM, responded swiftly and shot Al-Shamie dead at the scene. Tragically, two members of the Jewish community, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, lost their lives. Daulby is believed to have been accidentally shot by police as they tried to prevent the attacker from entering the synagogue.
Three other men, including a security guard and a Community Security Trust (CST) worker, suffered serious injuries and remain hospitalized. The attack has left a deep scar on the community, with funerals for Daulby and Cravitz held at Agecroft cemetery in Salford, attended by dozens of mourners and secured by a visible police presence. Rabbi Daniel Walker, in a moving eulogy for Daulby, described him as a "quiet man" who became a "tremendously strong hero" in the synagogue’s moment of need, bracing doors and trying to keep the attacker at bay.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have responded with what Mayor Andy Burnham called an "exemplary" effort, working around the clock to investigate, reassure, and support the community. Approximately 4,000 visits were made to places of worship across Greater Manchester, with a particular focus on Jewish neighborhoods in north Manchester, Bury, and Salford. Extra patrols remain in place, and a reduced cordon still surrounds the synagogue as inquiries continue. GMP Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson emphasized, "No stone is being left unturned," and praised the bravery of those who prevented further tragedy.
The police have urged anyone with information about Al-Shamie, who was not previously known to counter-terrorism police, to come forward, while cautioning the public against speculation or sharing unverified information that could hinder the investigation or cause further distress. Amid rumors, GMP has reiterated that Al-Shamie had not been reported to them for extremist behavior prior to the attack.
In the aftermath, members of the Jewish community have expressed both profound gratitude and lingering fear. One synagogue member wrote, "Every single officer I had dealings with yesterday was unremittingly professional and courteous and kind. They are a credit to the force. Please pass on my sincere thanks on behalf of everyone else inside the synagogue." Another message echoed, "It was only their prompt and efficient actions that saved the community from a far worse tragedy. We are all left shocked and afraid, but knowing that you have our backs gives us some reassurance at this tragic time. Forever grateful."
Yet the attack has also reignited scrutiny over the role of public venues and the handling of hate speech. As reported by Jewish News, earlier this year, Bridgewater Hall, one of Manchester’s leading concert venues, hosted Sheikh Mishary Alafasy, a Kuwaiti cleric with a history of inflammatory antisemitic statements. The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region (JRC) had warned the venue about Alafasy’s calls for violence against Jews and other hateful remarks, but the event went ahead. In a troubling turn, it was later revealed that Alafasy’s Twitter account was one of just ten followed by Al-Shamie, the synagogue attacker.
Marc Levy, CEO of the JRC, described the venue’s response as dismissive. "When we raised these issues with the venue they were initially ignored, and when we met with them we were dismissed out of hand," Levy said in a TV interview. The JRC later recounted that, despite a meeting, there was no apology or sign of contrition from Bridgewater Hall, which cited the need to remain open to all communities. The JRC called this approach a "tick box exercise" and stressed the importance of taking community concerns seriously to prevent further incidents of antisemitism.
The attack and its aftermath have also become a flashpoint in wider political and social debates. Conservative shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick controversially linked the attack to failures of integration, stating on Sky News, "There are real dangers if we don’t live in a well-integrated community, then this can lead to serious, serious challenges." He argued, "That is, at the extreme level, where failures of integration lead." These comments drew sharp criticism from religious leaders, including the Bishop of Birmingham, who warned that such rhetoric risks stoking division and fueling "toxic nationalism."
Meanwhile, the timing of pro-Palestinian protests on the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks has further polarized opinion. Some protestors, like Edinburgh University staff member Sara Al Disi, argued that the synagogue attack was being used to suppress legitimate activism, while political leaders such as Sir Ed Davey and Sir Keir Starmer condemned the protests as "completely wrong" and "un-British" in the wake of the attack. University leaders have urged students to consider the impact of their actions, reminding them that expressing support for terrorism is a criminal offense and warning against justifying violence against innocents.
As the investigation presses on, with four individuals still in custody and the community grappling with grief and fear, the city of Manchester stands at a crossroads. The attack has laid bare the vulnerabilities faced by minority communities, the challenges of confronting hate speech, and the complexities of balancing free expression with public safety. It has also prompted a broader reckoning with the responsibilities of institutions—from concert halls to police forces—to heed warnings, act decisively, and foster trust among those they serve.
For those mourning Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, for the survivors still recovering in hospital, and for a city determined to heal, the hope is that lessons will be learned and that the unity and vigilance shown in the days since the attack will endure long after the headlines fade.
