Police have declared a terrorist incident after two Jewish men were stabbed in an “utterly appalling” knife attack in Golders Green on Wednesday.
In a message posted on social media on Wednesday, Jewish security group Shomrim said a male had been seen running along Golders Green Road “armed with a knife and attempting to stab Jewish members of the public”.
A forensics officer at the scene in Golders Green, north-west London, after two men were stabbed
PA
CCTV footage, which appears to capture the moment before one of the attacks, shows a man standing in a bus shelter when he is set upon by another man wielding a weapon. The victim then falls back into the shelter, while bystanders rush to his aid.
Both victims suffered stab wounds in the attack, police said.
London’s Jewish community has been the target of a swathe of attacks in recent months, including the attempted firebombing of Finchley Reform Synagogue on April 15 and the arson attack on four Hatzola ambulances on March 23.
Here’s everything we know so far about the stabbing in Golders Green.
When did the attack happen?
Two people were stabbed in the Golders Green area of north London at around 11.16am on Wednesday after a man with a knife was seen running down the high street, allegedly attempting to stab Jewish people in the area.
Jewish community security organisation, Shomrim, said they responded immediately and detained a suspect.
Officers from Met Police arrived on the scene and a 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He remains in police custody.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley makes a statement to the media
Getty
The suspected knifeman was Tasered as he attempted to stab police officers, Met Police said.
A shocking video shared online in the aftermath of the attack was said to show the moment the knifeman launched the attack on one of his victims at a bus stop.
Another clip was reported to show the suspect pinned to the ground and handcuffed after being detained.
What do we know about the suspected attacker?
Police earlier said they were “working to establish” the suspect’s background and nationality.
In an update this afternoon, Sir Mark Rowley, commissioner for the Metropolitan Police, said the man arrested over the attack had a history of serious violence and mental health issues.
The chief rabbi appeared to name the victims of the attack as Nachman Moshe ben Chaya Sarah and Moshe Ben Baila in a post on social media.
“Please join me in praying for a swift and complete recovery for the victims of today’s attack,” he wrote on X.
What have the police said?
The investigation into the attack, which has been formally declared a ‘terrorist incident,’ is being led by counter-terrorism police.
On Wednesday afternoon, police released an update saying they are still investigating whether the Jewish community was the specific target of the attack.
Authorities have urged anyone with further information regarding the incident to get in touch.
Meanwhile, forces are being mobilised up and down the country “to provide additional support and reassurance” to Jewish communities.
Footage on social media appears to show a man launching an attack on members of the public in Golders Green
X
Speaking next to local MP Sarah Sackman, Rowley described the incident as “another horrendous act of violence directed against our Jewish communities”.
“This is an attack on one community and an attack on one community is an attack on all london’s communities,” he said.
“This was an attack on Londoners. It was an attack on British Jews.
“Too many Jewish people in this country feel they have to make choices that no other Briton ever has to make.
“They have to chose what they dress, where they go or how visibly they live their lives. That is completely unacceptable and has gone on for far too long.”
What has the reaction been to the attack?
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan condemned the “appalling” attack and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called it “deeply distrurbing”.
The incident prompted calls for action from the chief rabbi and the Israeli foreign ministry, following a series of incidents targeting Jewish sites in London.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said “words of condemnation are no longer sufficient” following the attack.
“This must be a moment that demands meaningful action from every institution, every community, every leader, and every decent person in our country,” he wrote on X.
“This is a hatred that we must face down together.”
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley also faced criticism when he visited the scene, with people shouting for him to resign.
The Met has faced criticism from some people over not doing enough to protect the Jewish community.
