Keir Starmer says police response to Manchester synagogue attack was of ‘highest order

The Prime Minister and his wife Lady Victoria met Greater Manchester Police officers. The PM said he was “absolutely clear” about the professionalism and speed of the police response, which he said was of the “highest order”.

Two worshippers, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘥 after 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 Jihad Al-Shamie targeted the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Thursday. One of the victims 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘥 as a result of gunshot wounds after armed police opened fire, it emerged on Friday morning.

The PM told officers at Greater Manchester Police headquarters: “I’ve been in Silver Command this morning. I appreciate that we are seeing things, we are being briefed, after the event retrospectively in terms of what happened. You had to deal with things on the ground as they were rolling out at speed.

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“And the degree of professionalism and speed, that you acted with, was,, at the highest order.”

He stated: “This was a dreadful attack, a 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 attack to inflict fear. Attacking Jews because they are Jews. It’s really important today that the whole country comes together, people of all faiths and no faith, stand in support and solidarity with our Jewish community, and I know that your work will help to that end.”

Keir Starmer and his wife Lady Victoria in Manchester on Friday(Image: Getty Images)

The Prime Minister added: “We must defeat antisemitism, and that is the responsibility of all of us. It is the responsibility of Government and we will rise to that challenge and do all that we can to absolutely ensure that our Jewish community is safe and secure, and that we show them the strength of the support and solidarity that we have for them.

“That will be massively helped by what you have already done, what you’re continuing to do.”

He said that without police intervention, the consequences of the attack would have been “even worse”. Brave worshippers barricaded themselves inside and kept the killer – who was sh0t 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 by armed officers – at bay.

The PM stated: “I am absolutely clear in my mind of the professionalism of the response, the speed of the response, and also that an absolutely awful incident would have been even worse if it hadn’t been for your response.

“So thank you is a really important two words at a time like this, and I say thank you to each and every one of you, and through you to all the other people that were there responding yesterday and ask that to be passed on to all of those.”

In a statement from No10 soon after Thursday’s attack, the Prime Minister offered his condolences to the victims’ families and those impacted in the “horrific incident”. He promised Jewish people the country will come together in the coming days to “wrap our arms around your community”.

“I promise you that over the coming days, you will see the other Britain, the Britain of compassion, of decency, of love,” Mr Starmer said.

He added: “On behalf of the nation, I want to offer my condolences to the families and victims affected. I want to thank the Greater Manchester police, the first responders and those dedicated security specialists, there is no doubt whatsoever that they have prevented an even greater tragedy, and we thank them for their bravery.”

It came as the PM cut short a meeting with European leaders in Denmark to hold an emergency Cobra meeting in London on the attack. The 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 struck as Jewish people gathered on Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Mr Starmer said: “Britain is also a country where Jewish buildings, synagogues, even schools require round the clock protection, where dedicated specialist security is necessary because of the daily threat of antisemitic hatred.

“Today’s horrific incident shows why. And while this is not a new hate, this is something Jews have always lived with, we must be clear, it is a hatred that is rising once again, and Britain must defeat it once again.”

A cordon was put in place around the synagogue

He said the Jewish community in Britain will see a “more visible police presence” as he promised to do “everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve”.

The Prime Minister added: “To every Jewish person in this country, I also want to say this. I know how much fear you will be holding inside of you. I really do.

“And so on behalf of our country, I express my solidarity, but also my sadness that you still have to live with these fears. Nobody should have to do that. Nobody. And so I promise you that I will do everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve, starting with a more visible police presence, protecting your community.

“I promise you that over the coming days, you will see the other Britain, the Britain of compassion, of decency, of love.

“And I promise you that this Britain will come together to wrap our arms around your community and show you that Britain is a place where you and your family are safe, secure and belong.”