A police chief has apologised after admitting phones were seized from the Manchester synagogue attacker in the months before the car and knife assault but they were not examined.
Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, was on bail for an alleged rape when he carried out the attack on Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall on 2 October last year, in which two Jewish men were killed.
His devices were seized after he was arrested on 13 February and 21 September, but not examined, and a court would later hear they contained evidence of his extremist views.
Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Sir Stephen Watson apologised and said this was a “missed opportunity” to investigate Al-Shamie before the attack.
Sir Stephen said: “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.
“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.”
The apology came after the sentencing 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”.
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