Policing for Jewish High Holy Days

Date published: 24 September 2011

In partnership with the CST (Community Security Trust), Greater Manchester Police is running an operation to help ensure that the local Jewish community can enjoy the most religious period on its calendar.

The High Holy Days begin on the evening of Wednesday 28 September 2011 and conclude on the evening of Friday 21 October 2011. These dates include the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, the day of atonement, Yom Kippur, and the harvest festival of Sukkot.

There are Jewish communities across the whole of Greater Manchester, but there is a particular concentration in Bury, Salford, Trafford and the north of Manchester.

There will be additional patrols before and after services at synagogues covering the main pedestrian routes that Jewish people take from their homes.

Joint foot patrols by police officers and members of CST - an organisation that provides reassurance and security advice to the Jewish community - to deter any anti-Semitism during this period.

Chief Superintendent Jon Rush said: “The High Holy Days are a combination of the most important religious festivals in the Jewish calendar. We are working closely again this year with CST and putting extra patrols in place to make sure people feel safe and have easy access to police officers and reporting centres.

“We received really positive feedback from the Jewish community last year and are planning to deliver another quality service throughout this year’s festive period.”

CST spokesman Mark Gardner said: "The support and reassurance we receive from Greater Manchester Police throughout the year is always appreciated. The High Holy Days are an important period for all Jewish communities and we look forward to working with GMP, to provide a safe and secure environment for people to attend synagogue and celebrate the upcoming festivals."

Mobile police stations will be made available at the following locations:

Northumberland Street, Broughton Park
Opposite the Holy Law Synagogue on Bury Old Rd, Prestwich
Middleton Road, Crumpsall
Outside the Synagogue on Shay Lane, Hale
Queenston Road, Didsbury
Coniston Road, Gatley

The gatehouse at Sedgley Park Police Training Centre on Sedgley Park Road will also be open in order to facilitate reporting.