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Manchester, England - Police officers have been learning more about the issues affecting the Jewish community thanks to a special training session at a Manchester synagogue.

Officers from Whitefield and Prestwich Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) joined a group of more than 30 officers from across the Bury division at the Manchester Great New and Central Synagogue in Salford for a day-long training course designed to boost their awareness of Jewish culture.

Greater Manchester is home to the UK’s largest Jewish population outside London and during the workshop officers explored a wide range of cultural and faith-related themes such as food, religious festivals and Jewish schools.

Sergeant Ian Campbell, of the Prestwich NPT, said: “The course was very enlightening and has definitely boosted our understanding of the day-to-day issues affecting the Jewish community and definitely succeeded in its aim which was to promote cohesion and mutual understanding.”

The course was funded by the Safer Schools Partnership - an initiative designed to help schools, neighbourhood policing teams and local authorities work together to tackle issues affecting young people in education.

The Whitefield and Prestwich NPTs work closely with the Jewish Community Security Trust and provide high-profile police patrols during the High Holy Days religious festival.

Sgt Campbell added: “The course was also useful in that we were able to put our own points across to the organisers about the roles, responsibilities and challenges faced by police officers which I am sure they will be able to feedback to the Jewish community.”