Jewish man stabbed in Stoke Newington
A 40-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the public restrained the alleged assailant
An Orthodox Jewish man was rushed to hospital today after being stabbed in broad daylight.
The Metropolitan Police said it was “called to reports of a male being restrained in Stoke Newington High Street, N16” on Friday morning, before 11am.
“Officers and London Ambulance Service attended. A man, aged in his 50s, was found suffering stab wounds. Another man, aged in his 40s, had been restrained on the floor by members of the public.”
A man, aged in his 40s, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He has been taken to hospital after suffering what is believed to be minor head injuries.”
The victim has also been taken to hospital. We await further updates on his condition.”
The Community Security Trust tweeted, it “is aware of reports that a Jewish man has been stabbed in Stoke Newington, north London. We are in contact with Police who are investigating the incident”.
(Photo credit: Lazar Friedlander /PA Wire)
Marie van der Zyl, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “We have become aware of an alleged violent crime against a chasidic Jew in Stoke Newington. Our thoughts are with the victim and we pray for his speedy recovery. It has been reported that a man has been arrested and we hope justice will be swiftly served.
We are liaising with contacts in the Stamford Hill community to share our concern and solidarity. We would like to thank the members of the public who restrained the attacker, incapacitating him until the police arrived.”
A member of the public who stopped the north-east London knife attacker said he believes the incident was a “hate crime”.
Construction site manager Lazar Friedlander and his brother Matt ran towards the alleged attacker and restrained him after hearing a “serious scream”.
He told the PA news agency: “We ran outside, I saw a Jewish man covered in blood. I’m Jewish myself, and I can see another Jewish man shouting ‘hold him, catch him, he’s got a knife! Stabbing!’
“There were a couple of other people trying to grab him. Me and my brother managed to force him down and put his hands behind his back until the police came.”
“I wouldn’t call myself a hero. You act in the heat of the moment,” added Mr Friedlander, who lives locally.
Officers said the incident was not being treated as terror-related but some onlookers, including Mr Friedlander, believed he may have been targeted because of his religion.
“Why he stabbed the Jewish man? I reckon it was a hate crime,” Mr Friedlander said.
He added that he tried to speak to the assailant after pinning him down but “he just blanked me and wouldn’t say anything”.
A video of the incident shows Stoke Newington High Street cornered off:
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