Victoria Police and CSG boost security following Manchester attack

Victoria Police and Community Security Group Victoria have significantly increased security for Melbourne’s Jewish community following an attack on a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur.

Victoria Police Superintendent Marty Bourke, divisional commander of Glen Eira, Bayside and Kingston, confirmed additional resources will be deployed for Shabbat and the three main days of Sukkot next week.

“Subsequent to the events that happened in Manchester last night, we’ve had some internal meetings this morning, and we’re further increasing our resources for the coming days,” Bourke told The AJN.

The enhanced deployment includes local resources, the public order response team and the mounted branch.

Bourke said while a copycat attack was not considered likely, the current environment remained volatile.

“It’s very hard to predict people’s behaviours. So what we’re doing at that local level is to try and work in conjunction with CSG as closely as we can,” he said.

Bourke confirmed he had spoken with CSG Victoria CEO Justin Kagan and Jewish Community Council of Victoria CEO Naomi Levin on Friday morning, reassuring them of maximum police support.

“We just ask the communities just to be aware, but not alarmed,” he said.

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria said Yom Kippur is a quiet, sacred day of unity and introspection and should not be a day of death and fear.

“There have been too many times where Jewish people, including here in Melbourne, have not been not safe in our places of worship and in our daily lives. Thoughts and prayers are not what is needed. We need action and leadership”, the statement said.

The JCCV called on governments and law enforcement to take immediate and concrete steps to protect Jewish communities everywhere.

“The JCCV stands with the Jewish community in Manchester and across the world. We will not accept complacency in the face of mounting antisemitism and the growing threat of extremist violence” the statement said.

The increased security response from Police and CSG over the coming days follows what CSG Victoria describes as its most successful High Holy Day operation in the organisation’s history.

Kagan said hundreds of protectors were deployed across Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

“We were very happy with our coverage. It’s probably the largest coverage the CSG has ever had for the community,” Kagan said.

Victoria Police provided substantial support throughout the period, including public order response teams, mounted units and general duties officers.

No incidents occurred in Melbourne over the High Holy Days, though Kagan said minor matters were dealt with as they arose.

“We’ll always have minor incidents. Obviously, everyone’s on heightened alert, both our team as well as the community. So lots of reports coming into our office, which we dealt with immediately,” he said.

One incident on a tram just before Yom Kippur received social media attention.

Kagan confirmed Victoria Police are working to identify the individual involved.

The Manchester attack has prompted CSG Victoria to increase its protective presence and request enhanced police coverage.

“Obviously that hits pretty hard. When we see that happening to a Jewish community in the diaspora, we recognise that that could just as easily have been Melbourne,” Kagan said.

CSG Victoria has been in contact with the Community Security Trust in the UK to understand what occurred and identify areas for improvement.

Bourke attended CSG Victoria’s operational briefing on Wednesday night, where more than 70 volunteers received instructions from Kagan and his team.

“[It was] a highly professional briefing, and providing really great reassurance for the community, but also good reassurance for us that CSG are out there and looking after the community as well,” he said.

Bourke emphasised the close working relationship between Victoria Police and CSG Victoria, with station commanders at Caulfield in daily contact with the security organisation.

“We have fantastic relationships with CSG, and as you’re aware, we do a lot of cultural awareness training with them. We work with them every day,” he said.

Kagan said Melbourne’s Jewish community should feel confident about their safety despite the heightened threat environment.

“The important message for our communities is that they can feel safe in Victoria. The CSG has a huge team protecting them throughout Shabbos and the rest of the High Holy Days, Victoria Police are out there protecting our community,” he said.

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