Patrols stepped up to reassure Jewish communities

The force was put into special measures in 2021 after an inspection found it had failed to investigate 80,000 crimes

Police have stepped up patrols in Jewish communities following an alleged gun attack plot in the north west of England.

Three men appeared in court on Tuesday charged with terrorism offences over an alleged plan designed to cause "multiple fatalities using automatic weapons".

Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Stephen Watson said the force was taking proactive approaches to protecting the community from threats.

"I know that our Jewish communities are reassured by what it is that Greater Manchester Police are doing to keep them and their families safe," he said.

Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Stephen Watson said the force was taking a proactive approach to protecting the community from threats

"We have had many more patrols in and around our Jewish community, going right back to 7 October," Chief Constable Watson said.

"We have stepped up our levels of engagement, our proactive approaches to protecting our Jewish community from threats.

"Some of that manifested in the three charges, but we are also working with things like the Community Safety Trust."

On Tuesday, Walid Saadaoui, 36, and Amar Hussein, 50, appeared in court charged with the preparation of terrorist acts between 13 December 2023 and 9 May 2024.

The pair were accused of plotting an attack designed to cause "multiple fatalities using automatic weapons", the hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court was told.

Mr Saadaoui's 35-year-old brother Bilel, pleaded not guilty to failing to disclose information about the alleged plans.

'Delivering the basics'

A recent inspection found GMP had made significant improvements after it was put into special measures in 2021 following the discovery it had failed to investigate 80,000 crimes.

It is now the fastest force in the country at answering calls.

"It is no secret, the force was in a bit of a pickle," Chief Constable Watson said.

"[We were] wholly reactive and racing ahead of demand in a way that implied that we couldn't cope."

Chief Constable Watson said the force was now focused on delivering the basics to the public.

"It is true to say that public confidence will always lag the reality, there's no point whinging about it.

"We, GMP, were not doing a good enough job, and therefore people started to lose faith in us.

"[We have made] major investment in a back to basics, traditional model which includes, at its heart, proper neighbourhood policing."