Police have arrested two 17-year-old boys for an attack at a Manchester tram stop which left their Jewish victim seriously injured.
Moshe Fuerst, 17, was punched into unconsciousness in a “sustained and unprovoked” assault at the Bowker Vale Metrolink stop in Prestwich on Saturday 5 September.
While waiting for a tram with three friends he was approached by three youths who hurled racist insults before chasing the teenager down from the platform to Middleton Road.
Police believe it was here (marked in red on map below) where the most serious assault took place.
Moshe was knocked out with one punch, then his assailants kicked him in the head while he lay defenceless on the ground.
He suffered a serious head injury and remains in a serious but stable condition in Salford Royal hospital.
Today police have two 17-year-old boys in custody on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and violent disorder.
The pair were arrested at addresses in Whitefield and Derbyshire, said Greater Manchester Police.
Police are treating the assault as an anti-Semitic hate crime and are still appealing for potential witnesses to come forward.
Detective Inspector Liam Boden of GMP’s North Manchester Division said “We have had a team of officers working closely with our partners to recover and examine evidence since the offence took place, which has revealed a sustained and unprovoked attack on the victims who were waiting for a tram on the opposite platform.
“We would like to ask anyone who may have been travelling along Middleton Road at around 11.25pm on Saturday, or anyone who believes they may have witnessed the attack, to come forward.
“Similarly, we believe the offenders then alighted the Metrolink towards Bury at around 11.35pm, travelling between Bowker Vale and Radcliffe.
“We know there were people on this tram and that they would have noticed these offenders travelling between carriages, as it would have been obvious that at least one of them had been involved in an assault.
“I know this crime has caused upset and anxiety in the Jewish community, particularly as this has happened just prior to the start of the Jewish High Holy Days, and I want to offer reassurance that hate crime will not be tolerated and we will do everything we can to stop it.”
Officers confirmed security would be stepped up ahead of the High Holy Days, with extra street patrols planned in the area.
Amanda Bomsztyk, Northern Regional Director of the Community Security Trust said: “We would like to thank Greater Manchester Police for its prompt action in this particularly serious and worrying incident.
“There is far too much anti-Semitic abuse and violence, and we hope these arrests will send a strong message, providing some reassurance to the Jewish community.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
You can also report via the dedicated hate crime reporting website.
