Security is tightened for Jewish New Year
POLICE PATROLS TO BE STEPPED UP ACROSS BURY AND SALFORD
SECURITY is being stepped up across Bury and Salford ahead of celebrations to mark the Jewish New Year.
The Community Security Trust (CST), which works to protect and support Jewish people, is working alongside Greater Manchester Police.
Increased security patrols will be in place to provide reassurance to all those celebrating the Jewish High Holy Days.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, starts at dusk on Wednesday and ends on Friday evening, heralding the seventh month of the Jewish calendar, known as Tishri.
It’s a savoured time of personal reflection and prayer, as families come together to celebrate.
Yom Kippur - meaning ‘Day of Atonement’ - will be observed on September 30, this year, and is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
The CST said levels of concern in the Jewish community ‘may be heightened’ as a result of the UK terror threat, and security operations have been enhanced as a result.
Northern regional director Amanda Bomsztyk said: “The High Holy Days are an important part of the Jewish year and we will be working closely with the police to provide security and reassurance for the Jewish community during this time. “
Councillor Alan Quinn, who represents Sedgley for Bury council, said security would also be stepped up at Metrolink stations and on trams. Increased patrols are also set to feature around synagogues and Jewish locations in Sedgley Park, Prestwich, Whitefield and Salford.
“We will be doing everything we can to make sure that communities enjoy the High Holy Days and can worship safely,” coun Quinn said.
“We would always encourage any member of the public to report any incidents to the police.”
Arson attacks on two Kosher restaurants in Prestwich - Ta’am Deli and Grill, on Bury New Road, and the JS Restaurant, on King’s Road this year are being treated by police as linked anti-Semitic hate crimes.
Latest CST figures saw 205 antiSemitic incidents recorded across Greater Manchester in 2016 - a nine per cent fall on the year before.
Reports of anti-Semitic crimes nationally however rocketed by 36 per cent - and Greater Manchester had the most reports of anywhere in the country outside the London area.