A RABBI and another Jewish woman, who were the victims of an anti-Semitic attack in Prestwich, have come face-to-face with the two men who verbally abused them.

On Thursday, March 3, the two offenders, aged 23 and 24, had driven along Bury New Road and shouted abuse at people walking by, most of whom are members of the Jewish community.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police’s Prestwich Neighbourhood Team were able to trace the offenders and invited two of their victims, along with members of the Community Security Trust and other partners, to a restorative justice meeting with the offenders on Monday, May 16.

The result was that the two men accepted responsibility for their actions and were dealt with using Restorative Justice, a scheme designed to help victims take an active role in the resolution of crimes and repair any harm done without resulting in a criminal record.

Police Sergeant Steve Wightman Love said: “We are committed to supporting victims of crime in any way that we can and RJ gave the victims the opportunity to face their offenders as part of the rehabilitation process.

“The meeting was an emotional event on all sides, with the two men admitting that their behaviour was Anti-Semitic in nature and not acceptable. It helped offenders better understand the consequences of their actions and this resulted in what I can only describe as the most productive Restorative Justice meeting I have ever been involved in.

“One of the attendees at the meeting, a Jewish Orthodox gentleman, thanked me and my colleague for dealing with the subject in a sensitive yet robust way.

“This highlights the positive results that police and the community can achieve when we work together with the community to tackle anti-Semitism.”

Anyone with concerns, or who would like to pass on information, is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.