Manchester synagogue terrorist’s phones revealed his extremist views – but police failed to check them

Manchester synagogue terrorist’s phones revealed his extremist views – but police failed to check them Sir Stephen Watson said he was ‘deeply sorry’ for the failure to examine Al-Shamie’s devices that would have revealed his extremist views - Bookmark The Manchester synagogue terrorist’s phones revealed he held extremist views – but police failed to check them when they seized them months earlier after his arrest for other alleged crimes. Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said there is “little doubt” that the information contained on his phones would have inspired further investigative action, and admitted it was a “missed opportunity” and that the data on the phones would have pointed towards Jihad Al-Shamie’s extremist mindset. Al-Shamie, 35, was on bail at the time for an alleged rape, leading police to seize his devices as part of their investigation. He was shot dead by police as he targeted the place of worship in Heaton Park on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, last year. Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, died after what police and government leaders condemned as a “vile” terrorist attack. Sir Stephen said the failure had come to light after an internal investigation by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), adding he is “deeply sorry” for the “added distress” for the families of those who died. "In conducting an internal review, it became apparent that GMP had seized Al-Shamie’s mobile devices, at the point of each arrest. The significance of the data contents of these devices was substantial in respect of evidencing an extremist mindset,” he said. "Regrettably, I can confirm that the significance of the information stored on Al-Shamie’s devices was not realised as they had not been examined before the attack took place on the 2nd of October 2025.” Sir Stephen added it was “clear” that the failure to review the devices was a “missed opportunity”: "There can however, be little doubt that the information contained within these devices would have inspired further investigative action. It is clear that our not having reviewed the data available to us prior to the attack constitutes a missed opportunity. "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.” This is a developing news story, more to follow...