GMP launches investigation after officer filmed ‘pulling down Israel …

An investigation is underway after a Greater Manchester Police officer appeared to pull down posters for hostages captured by Hamas. A number of posters for missing civilians in Israel have been put on display around the UK following the outbreak of conflict[1] earlier this month. Several of the posters were recently put up in parts of north Manchester - including on Bury[2] Old Road, at the border of Crumpsall and Prestwich[3], where there is a large Jewish community.

But in a video shared on social media last night (October 30), a GMP officer can be seen pulling the posters from a temporary wall outside a construction site on Bury Old Road. In a statement this morning (Tuesday), GMP has confirmed the actions seen on camera went against guidance issued to police. An investigation is now taking place.

Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry said: "We know the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is causing great distress to members of Greater Manchester's Jewish community and our thoughts remain with them at this time. The force has increased engagement with representatives, including the Community Security Trust, to ensure that they feel heard and understood by GMP and to ensure their safety within the city and our neighbourhoods. "We share concerns raised regarding the removal of posters in the north Manchester area and can confirm that an investigation is underway.

The action taken last night, in response to complaints, is contrary to guidance that the force had already issued to staff in relation to flyposting.

The incident was captured on cameraThe incident was captured on camera

"We will continue to work with local authorities and the community to ensure posters can be displayed. We regret any offence caused." Chief Constable Stephen Watson was asked about the incident on BBC Radio Manchester this morning, where he suggested the officer was a PCSO acting under instruction, but he had 'got it wrong'.

Chf Con Watson said: "I am aware of it, I'm very concerned about it, it runs entirely contrary to the instructions that we've given to our officers in terms of dealing with this." He added: "I can assure you our professional standards department are looking at that as we speak. My early understanding is that there were a series of complaints about the posters, an officer has been deployed - in fact it was a PCSO - and the PCSO, under instruction, removed the posters.

"So there's nothing malicious in the intent of the officer, there's nothing that's done off the officer's own bat.

But I think, reading between the lines, this is where we've responded badly to a complaint and I think we've got it wrong, and we have not operated in accordance with our instructions."

References

  1. ^ the outbreak of conflict (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  2. ^ Bury (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  3. ^ Prestwich (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  4. ^ 'They are going to f***ing kill my husband...they have my son, they are going to kill him.

    Give me back my son, I beg you' (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)

  5. ^ He was a family friend entrusted to get a 15-year-old girl safely home... before it ended in tragedy (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)