Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington, former commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, addressed a capacity crowd at the annual Community Security Trust’s northern region dinner.

In his address to the 350 guests at the city centre Hilton Hotel he highlighted the country’s fight against terrorism and the significance of the controversial new Terror Bill which includes the extension to 42 days in which a suspect can be held before being charged.

Manchester University student Alex Dwek told guests about the negative experiences faced by Jewish students at the university, including aggressive and intimidating behaviour. He said that this had included the drawing of swastikas on the doors of students who displayed mezuzot in their halls of residence. 

Mark Gardner, director of communications of the CST, said: “Our annual northern region dinner shows how we are joining with communities, politicians and police to protect Jewish communities and students throughout the north of the country.”

Guests included Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor, Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, CST chairman Gerald Ronson, and chief constables from Merseyside, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire and Lancashire.