Jewish communities in Scotland have been urged to remain ‘alert but not alarmed’ following an antisemitic terror attack which claimed the lives of 11 people in Australia on Sunday.
Police Scotland says officers are already carrying out increased patrols around synagogues and other Jewish venues during the busy Hanukkah season.
Reports of an active shooting were first received around 8.00 AM on Sunday morning, (7.00 PM in Sydney, Australia).
According to New South Wales Police, 11 people have been killed and 29 were taken to hospital following the incident, which appears to have been targeted at a Jewish gathering at the beach.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson of Police Scotland said the force had reached out to faith leaders following the incident.
He added: “Our thoughts are with the Jewish community, the victims, families, and everyone affected by the incident in Australia.
"Officers are already carrying out additional and dedicated patrols around synagogues and other Jewish venues as part of our existing policing plan for Hanukkah.”
He went on to say: “We are also engaging with a wide range of local, national and international partners to ensure our communities are safe.
“While there is no intelligence to suggest any specific threat in Scotland, I want to take this opportunity to ask the public to remain alert but not alarmed. You should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Police Scotland.
“Policing in Scotland has strong relationships with the public and we are grateful for the ongoing support of all our communities.”
Read more:
- Locals to have say as Scottish street with links to disgraced royal reviewed
- No Yolk! Best of Scotland's poultry workers have a cracking evening
- Police Scotland apologise to Conservative MSP over 'hate incident' probe
Reacting to news of the attack on Sunday morning, many Scottish political leaders condemned the violence.
First Minister John Swinney posted on X: “The events at Bondi beach are an appalling act against the Jewish community at a precious moment in the Jewish calendar. Such acts are despicable at any time but ever more so at this moment.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said that Scots must “stand in solidarity with Jewish people against hate”, while the Greens’ Ross Greer said his “heart goes out” to Australia's Jewish community.
Share