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'I thought I was going to die': stabbed synagogue guard wins Pride of Britain ONE YEAR after Heaton Park terror attack

From the Newshound archive · first published 2 October 2026 · last updated 3 October 2026.

Jihad Al-Shamie, shot dead by armed police after killing two worshippers and stabbing security volunteer Andrew Franks three times in the face and neck at the Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur last year.
Jihad Al-Shamie, shot dead by armed police after killing two worshippers and stabbing security volunteer Andrew Franks three times in the face and neck at the Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur last year.
Andrew Franks suffered life-changing injuries yet his warning allowed hundreds of worshippers to barricade the synagogue doors.
Andrew Franks suffered life-changing injuries yet his warning allowed hundreds of worshippers to barricade the synagogue doors.

Andrew Franks, 53, a volunteer security guard stabbed three times in the face and neck by IS-pledging attacker Jihad Al-Shamie, is to receive a Pride of Britain Award for Outstanding Bravery on the first anniversary of the Heaton Park synagogue massacre. Franks fought Al-Shamie to the ground and ran inside to order worshippers to barricade the doors, saving lives — moments after his own father held him as he bled from his neck. His wife had recently died of cancer, leaving him sole carer for his then 16-year-old daughter Tamara.

Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, were murdered when Al-Shamie rammed the gates on Yom Kippur; Al-Shamie was shot dead by police.

Greater Manchester Police chief Sir Stephen Watson said Jews face a threat 'not shared by anybody else' and vowed to 'exercise every sinew' in their defence.

Just two weeks before the anniversary, counter-terrorism police disrupted an 'advanced' plot to attack Manchester's Jewish community again during this year's Yom Kippur.

MoreBBC News - EnglandJews still feel 'targets on backs' year on from Manchester synagogue attackThe Jewish ChronicleHeaton Park Synagogue’s life-saving hero Andrew Franks to receive Pride of Britain AwardThe Jewish ChronicleJews face threat not shared by any other community, says police chief on anniversary of Heaton Park attackJewish News (GNews)Man who held off Manchester synagogue attacker recalls having ‘strange feeling’Manchester Evening NewsGMP chief issues promise to Jewish community on Heaton Park synagogue attack anniversary - Manchester Evening News
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