Golders Green collision ‘not classified as antisemitic incident’, police say
Pedestrian left critically injured as police arrest driver and reassure worried local Jewish community
Police have said a serious collision in Golders Green that left a man critically injured is not currently being treated as an antisemitic incident or terrorism-related attack.
Emergency services were called to Golders Green Road at 8.24pm on Wednesday following reports of a collision involving a car and a pedestrian in the heart of the north-west London Jewish community.
A 41-year-old Iranian national was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The Metropolitan Police said a 39-year-old Iraqi national had been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to provide a drugs sample. He remains in custody.
The investigation is being led by officers from the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit.
Shomrim North West London and Hatzola volunteers were among those responding at the scene alongside police and the London Ambulance Service.
In a statement issued overnight, Shomrim said: “At this stage, the incident is being treated as a road traffic collision and has not been classified as an antisemitic incident by the Metropolitan Police.”
The group added that the incident was “not currently thought to pose an ongoing threat”.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in north-west London, including Barnet, said: “We know that this incident will cause significant concerns in the local community and residents can expect a continued police presence throughout the night.
“Detectives are working quickly to establish the circumstances, and I would urge anyone with information to get in touch with us.
“We are aware of videos circulating on social media, appearing to show the collision and those involved. We would discourage the public from sharing both due to the graphic nature of the footage and to protect the integrity of the investigation.”
The incident caused widespread concern locally following a series of recent violent and antisemitic incidents affecting Jewish areas of north London, including last month’s stabbing attack in Golders Green and the arson attack on a Hatzola ambulance earlier this year.
Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with footage of the incident to contact officers quoting CAD 8355/27MAY.