Security personnel who faced knife-wielding man hailed as hero

Security personnel who faced a man wielding two knives outside a Hendon synagogue last weekend have been hailed for their bravery.

Toras Chaim synagogue went into lockdown as the incident, which congregants initially feared was terror-related, unfolded during Saturday morning prayers.

A man wearing only a pair of shorts and frantically waving the knives ran down an alley towards the shul at just after 11am. The shul’s CST-trained security officer and commercial security guard bundled congregants who were outside into the building and blocked the door, leaving only them in the narrow alleyway with the man as they demanded he move away. The man, who visibly distressed, made no attempt to enter the shul.

A member of CST’s Shabbat patrol force then gave chase as the man ran down Bell Lane and into an empty launderette. The former held the door closed and engaged the man in conversation, as he was supported by other commercial guards from local shuls and members of the community until the police arrived.

The CST later said the man was not thought to be motivated by anti-Semitism or terrorism while Scotland Yard stressed he had been detained under the mental health act.

Simon Rose, borough commander for Barnet, told the Jewish News: “It was a significant act of bravery and quick thinking by the CST staff advancing towards danger to engage this mentally ill man and ‘locking’ him in the launderette. This smart approach enabled the situation to be resolved with minimal force and enabled us to much more quickly ensure he received the necessary treatment. It is however something I am not surprised by. The CST train to a very high standard and are an extremely well run and well led organisation.”

CST chief executive David Delew said: “I want to sincerely thank the CST personnel the commercial security guards, and members of our community for their quick and courageous reactions in very difficult circumstances, confronting the danger: both at the synagogue and then when the man was subsequently detained, prior to his arrest. It now seems clear that this was not an intended attack against our community, but it was a fast moving and dangerous situation for all involved. This is why CST does it’s work and we encourage others to join us in it.”

A Met spokesperson said: “Police were called at approximately 11:20hrs on Saturday, 15 July to Bell Lane, NW4 following reports of a man seen in possession of a knife.

“Officers attended and the man was detained under the Mental Health Act before being taken to a north London hospital. There were no reported injuries. This is not being treated as terrorism-related.”