Key facts
- Greater Manchester Police apologized for failing to examine data on Jihad al-Shamie's seized mobile devices before he attacked a synagogue.
- The attacker's associate, Mohammad Bashir, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 17 years for planning a terrorist act.
- Bashir and al-Shamie conducted hostile reconnaissance at the UK Defence Academy prior to the synagogue attack.
- Al-Shamie was shot dead by police during the synagogue attack, which resulted in two deaths.
- The Independent Office for Police Conduct is reviewing the police force's handling of the case.
Greater Manchester Police has apologized for a "missed opportunity" after failing to examine crucial data on the mobile devices of a synagogue attacker before he carried out a deadly assault. Chief Constable Stephen Watson stated that the phones of Jihad al-Shamie, who attacked the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in October 2025, were seized during previous arrests but the significant information was not reviewed.
Watson expressed deep regret that this oversight could add to the distress of those affected by the "terrible events." His statement coincides with the sentencing of Mohammad Bashir, a 31-year-old friend of al-Shamie, to life in prison with a minimum term of 17 years. Bashir was convicted for planning a terrorist act with al-Shamie, including a reconnaissance mission to the UK Defence Academy in August 2025.
Al-Shamie, who told police he was acting for Islamic State, was shot dead by officers during the synagogue attack, which resulted in two deaths. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now reviewing the Greater Manchester Police's previous investigations into al-Shamie.