Latest news with #SimonAshcroft
ITV News
07-08-2025
- ITV News
Two arrested after water pistol attack on Orthodox Jews
Two men have been arrested after a video of Jewish people being sprayed with water pistols in Greater Manchester went viral. The suspects, two men aged 26 and 36, were arrested on Thursday in Farnworth, Bolton, and are being questioned on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault. Greater Manchester Police said it was made aware of the video being shared online, showing two men in a car, laughing and joking as they sprayed liquid from water pistols at traditionally-dressed, Jewish pedestrians, including children. It was soundtracked with Hava Nagila, a folk song traditionally sung at Jewish celebrations. As part of the investigation, officers have seized a vehicle believed to be the one seen in the footage, along with a water pistol suspected to have been used during the incident. Chief Inspector Simon Ashcroft, of GMP's Salford district, said: 'We are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness and have acted swiftly to make arrests." "GMP has a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime in any form, and we are committed to ensuring our communities feel safe and supported." "We continue to work closely with our partners to provide reassurance and encourage anyone affected to come forward." "We are also aware from other footage that there may be further victims, and we urge anyone who believes they have been targeted to contact GMP or the Community Security Trust (CST).' The CST, a charity which looks after security for British Jews, said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter: 'Following on from the appalling antisemitic videos, which were widely shared yesterday, two males have been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault." 'CST would like to thank @GMPolice for their support and swift action in this case.'
The Independent
07-08-2025
- The Independent
Two arrested after video of Orthodox Jews being sprayed by water pistol
Two men have been arrested after a video of Jewish people being sprayed with water went viral. The suspects – two men aged 26 and 36, who were arrested on Thursday in Farnworth, Bolton – are in custody for questioning on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said. The force said it was made aware of the video being shared online, showing two men in a car, laughing and joking as they sprayed liquid from water pistols at visibly Jewish pedestrians. As part of the investigation, officers have seized a vehicle believed to be the one seen in the footage, along with a water pistol suspected to have been used during the incident. Chief Inspector Simon Ashcroft, of GMP's Salford district, said: 'We are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness and have acted swiftly to make arrests. GMP has a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime in any form, and we are committed to ensuring our communities feel safe and supported. 'We continue to work closely with our partners to provide reassurance and encourage anyone affected to come forward. We are also aware from other footage that there may be further victims, and we urge anyone who believes they have been targeted to contact GMP or the Community Security Trust (CST).' Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or report online via In an emergency, dial 999. The CST (Community Security Trust), a charity which looks after security for British Jews, said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter: 'Following on from the appalling antisemitic videos, which were widely shared yesterday, two males have been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault. 'CST would like to thank @GMPolice for their support and swift action in this case.'
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Yahoo
Two men arrested after video of Orthodox Jewish people sprayed with water pistol
Two men have been arrested after a video of Orthodox Jewish people being sprayed with water pistols was shared widely online. The footage, which has been reposted extensively with traditional Jewish music in the background, shows two men sat in a vehicle, spraying visibly Orthodox Jewish children with water pistols. Police said they were investigating the videos yesterday (August 6). The men, aged 26 and 36, were arrested in Farnworth on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault today (August 7). READ MORE: 'We've been stuck in a hotel room living off Pot Noodles for weeks, it's a nightmare' READ MORE: 'I was a confident, pretty young lady... now I feel destroyed by what she did to me' They remain in custody for questioning. As part of the investigation, officers from Greater Manchester Police have also seized a vehicle which is believed to be the one seen in the footage, along with a water pistol suspected to have been used during the incident. Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here The original video appears to have been removed from Instagram. However, clips have been reposted by other social media users. Chief Inspector Simon Ashcroft, of GMP's Salford district, said: "We are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness and have acted swiftly to make arrests. GMP has a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime in any form, and we are committed to ensuring our communities feel safe and supported. 'We continue to work closely with our partners to provide reassurance and encourage anyone affected to come forward. We are also aware from other footage that there may be further victims, and we urge anyone who believes they have been targeted to contact GMP or the Community Security Trust (CST)." Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or report online via In an emergency, dial 999. In a post on X today (August 7), Jewish security charity CST thanked GMP for their support and 'swift action'. --- Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@ or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.
