Manchester's Anti-Semitism Increases

The number of reported anti-semitic incidents and crimes in Greater Manchester has doubled in the past year according to the latest figures.

A report by the Community Security Trust shows that in the year 2014/15 there were 172 incidents , an increase from the previous year’s total which was 82.

The findings come at a time of a great concern for many members of Manchester’s Jewish community after terrorist attacks in Europe.

Responding to the CST figures, Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, of Greater Manchester Police, said: Once again we see the national rise in anti-semitic incidents and crimes being mirrored on the streets of Greater Manchester.''

But while the international picture - typified by the terrorist atrocities in

Europe at the start of the year - of increasing hostility and tension towards

the Jewish community is no doubt having an influence in the UK, it is not the only contributory factor.''

He said a rise in reported incidents in Greater Manchester indicates increasing confidence within Jewish communities that police will take all reports of hate crime seriously.

Michael Rubenstein is from the Manchester Jewish Representative Council and spoke to Key 103 Chief Reporter Michelle Livesey .