![\"Police](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1_Police-outside-Childwall-SynagogueDunbabin-RoadChildwallLiverpoolin-the-wake-of-the-Manchester-a.j.jpeg\")
Police outside Childwall Synagogue(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n15 people were shot dead during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney<\/p>\n
20:35, 17 Dec 2025Updated 20:35, 17 Dec 2025<\/p>\n
Police outside Childwall Synagogue(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n
Merseyside Police will “maintain a visible presence” in Jewish communities following the recent attack at Bondi Beach, Australia, where 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration. The force said it has strengthened its existing security plans for key Jewish venues, with officers conducting regular patrols around schools, synagogues, and community centres.<\/p>\n
Police have urged members of the community to come forward with any concerns<\/a> while reassuring the public that the measures are purely precautionary.<\/p>\n Assistant Chief Constable Andy Ryan said: \u201cOur thoughts first and foremost go out to all those affected by the awful incident on Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cThe safety and wellbeing of our Jewish community during this time matters to us, and our officers are determined to provide the reassurance we feel is necessary to ensure they can celebrate such a special time.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will maintain a visible presence at key sites right through to the conclusion of the festival on Monday, December 22 and beyond, and I would urge Jewish people across Merseyside to keep engaging with the officers present.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you do need to report any incidents that cause concern, please make use of our dedicated neighbourhood teams or report them to us and we will take any action necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n Fifteen people were killed when, according to local police, father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram allegedly opened fire<\/a> on more than 1,000 people attending a Jewish festival<\/a> in the Archer Park area of the popular beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday, December 14.<\/p>\n Sajid Akram<\/a>, 50, was shot by police and died at the scene, but 24-year-old Naveed, who awoke from a coma on Tuesday, was charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and committing a terrorist attack, New South Wales (NSW) Police confirmed.<\/p>\n The other charges are 40 counts of causing wounding\/grievous bodily harm to a person with intent to murder, discharging a firearm intending to cause grievous bodily harm, a public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol and placing an explosive in\/near a building with the intent to cause harm.<\/p>\n Police said early indications pointed to a “terrorist attack inspired by ISIS”.<\/p>\n Akram, who remains under police guard in hospital, will face a Sydney local court\u2019s bail division on Wednesday.<\/p>\n You can contact police via Facebook<\/a> and X at @MerPolCC, or call 101. You can also report information via the website: https:\/\/www.merseyside.police.uk\/ro\/report\/ocr\/af\/how-to-report-a-crime\/<\/a> or call 101<\/p>\n If you want to report a hate crime but, for any reason, do not wish to report it to the police, the independent charity Stop Hate UK to run a 24\/7 confidential helpline for all victims of hate crime on 0800 138 1625 or www.stophateuk.org<\/a>. You can also download the Stop Hate UK reporting app on Google Play or the Apple App Store.<\/p>\n Victim Care Merseyside is a single point of contact for victims of crime living in Merseyside. The team of trained and knowledgeable staff are available to provide emotional and practical support tailored to your needs. To get in touch, freephone 0808 175 3080 weekdays 8 am – 6 pm or visit their website: http:\/\/victimcaremerseyside.org<\/a><\/p>\n For advice or support, you can speak to a member of the Anthony Walker Foundation Hate Crime Team. To get in touch, call 0151 237 3974 or email support@anthonywalkerfoundation.org.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n For the latest news and breaking news visit liverpoolecho.co.uk\/news<\/a><\/p>\n Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our daily and breaking newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sign up to our breaking news newsletter here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow us on Twitter<\/a> @LivECHONews<\/a> – the official Liverpool ECHO Twitter account – real news in real time.<\/p>\n![\"Naveed](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_JS390716217.jpg\")
Naveed Akram was charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and committing a terrorist attack(Image: 2025 Getty Images)<\/p>\n