Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson has issued a deep apology after revealing that authorities seized mobile devices from Manchester synagogue attacker Jihad Al-Shamie months before the October 2025 assault, but failed to examine them. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is now investigating prior police contact.
Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, carried out a fatal car and knife attack on the Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall on 2 October 2025, murdering two Jewish men. At the time of the atrocity, Al-Shamie was on bail for an alleged rape.
Unexamined Devices Contained Clear Extremist Mindset Evidence
Yet, investigators never analyzed the hardware while he remained free on bail. His devices, which contained evidence of his extreme views, were seized after he was arrested in February and September but not analysed.
“The significance of the data contents of these devices was substantial in respect of evidencing an extremist mindset.”
Sir Stephen Watson, Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable
Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson conceded during the review that analyzing those seized phones would have triggered immediate, aggressive follow-up action by investigators. Sir Stephen said that the information contained within these devices would have inspired further investigative action
. Instead, the hardware sat untouched while Al-Shamie planned his deadly assault. Sir Stephen also stated: In conducting an internal review, it became apparent that GMP had seized Al-Shamie's mobile devices, at the point of each arrest.
Sir Stephen added: I am disappointed at the prospect of adding to the distress of all of those affected by the terrible events last October.
“For this, I am deeply sorry.”
Sir Stephen Watson, Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable
Wider Terror Conspiracies and Court Revelations
The failure to examine Al-Shamie’s phones surfaced publicly during courtroom proceedings at Manchester Crown Court. The apology came after the sentencing of Mohammad Bashir, who plotted a separate attack on the UK’s Defence Academy in Shrivenham with Al-Shamie.
Details emerged in the case at Manchester Crown Court that the pair had been discussing their extremist views in WhatsApp chats, including preparing for a “war”.
Independent Police Watchdog Launches Active Misconduct Investigation
Meanwhile, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it was investigating all previous contact between Greater Manchester Police and Jihad Al-Shamie prior to the terror attack on 2 October 2025
.
A spokesperson for the police watchdog said this included the actions taken by police in response to reports of crimes committed by him. Investigators are scrutinizing all previous contact and institutional responses to reported crimes committed by Al-Shamie prior to the October 2025 synagogue attack. A specific focus centers on how officers handled prior allegations of rape and sexual offenses brought against him.
“One officer is under investigation by the IOPC for potential misconduct in relation to their handling of allegations of rape and other sexual offences against Al-Shamie.”
Independent Office for Police Conduct spokesperson
Watchdog representatives emphasized that the current scrutiny does not automatically guarantee disciplinary proceedings. This does not necessarily mean that disciplinary proceedings will follow. This decision will be made on conclusion of the investigation,
the spokesperson said.
Sources: bbc.co.uk.
Related reading
