'The time has come to stand in solidarity again'

THE Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Sir Stephen Watson, today writes for the Manchester Evening News as the city continues to mourn the lives lost in the Crumpsall synagogue terrorist attack.

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Sir Stephen praises the bravery of those who stopped Jihad Al-Shamie from getting inside the place of worship.

He describes the terrorist as 'a vicious and determined attacker' - and reveals that, over the weekend, the force has visited more than 4,000 places of worship across Greater Manchester to offer reassurance and support in the aftermath of the atrocity.

Sir Stephen also vows that 'every available officer in Greater Manchester' will continue to be deployed to protect the public in the days and weeks ahead.

"Just as the region has stood in solidarity in times of hardship before, the time has come for us to do so again," he says.

THE horrific events outside Heaton Park Synagogue on Yom Kippur continue to be fresh in our minds as our Jewish community enters the seven days of Sukkot.

In this new week, we continue to hold them close to our hearts and in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn the loss of Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz.

The immediate bravery of those extraordinary people engaged in security at the synagogue and of the worshippers within denied a vicious and determined attacker entry and prevented him from inflicting even more harm.

Their heroic and selfless actions undoubtedly saved lives.

Our thoughts are with all those affected by this atrocity, including the bereaved families and the injured.