Police conducting extra checks at synagogues in Waterloo Region

A shofar was photographed in this undated image. (Roman Ziomka/Pexels.com)

Police in Waterloo Region will be checking in with the local Jewish community in light of an attack in the United Kingdom.

A suspect drove a car into people outside a synagogue in Manchester, U.K. on Thursday as they were preparing to mark the holiest day of the Jewish year, Yom Kippur.

Police shot and killed the suspect and the Metropolitan Police in London declared the act was a terrorist attack.

Closer to home, the Waterloo Regional Police Service is trying to support the community as the news makes international headlines.

“Members of our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Unit are actively supporting the community today and patrol will be conducting extra checks throughout the day,” the Waterloo Regional Police Service confirmed in an email to CTV News.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Guelph, Ont. an officer was already scheduled to help keep people observing the holy day safe.

“We do have an officer at the synagogue today, however that was a pre-arranged special duty due to anticipated heavy traffic and not in response to today’s events,” Scott Tracey, Guelph Police Service’s media relations coordinator, said.

Yom Kippur means ‘Day of Atonement’ and is recognized with fasting. Many Jewish people will spend the day in synagogue, praying for forgiveness over the course of five prayer services. When the prayers end, congregants sing, dance and enjoy a festive after-fast meal.