Two stabbed in Golders Green as knife suspect arrested after street attack
Two people reportedly injured after man allegedly ran through north-west London street with knife
Two people were stabbed in Golders Green on Tuesday after a man allegedly ran through the area armed with a knife and attempted to attack members of the public, in the latest incident to raise concern within one of Britain’s largest Jewish communities.
According to Shomrim North West London, the suspect was seen running along Golders Green Road carrying a knife and attempting to stab Jewish passers-by.
The volunteer neighbourhood watch group said its members responded quickly and detained the suspect before Metropolitan Police officers arrived at the scene.
Police are understood to have deployed a taser before arresting the man.
Two victims suffered stab wounds and were treated at the scene by Hatzola emergency responders.
In a statement posted on social media, Shomrim said: “One male was seen running along Golders Green Road armed with a knife and attempting to stab Jewish members of the public.
“Shomrim responded immediately and detained the suspect. Police attended and deployed a taser.
“The male has now been arrested.”
The condition of the victims has not yet been confirmed.
The Metropolitan Police has released a statement, saying: “An investigation is under way and a man has been arrested following a stabbing incident in Barnet.
“At 11:16hrs on Wednesday 29 April, officers responded following reports of people stabbed in Highfield Avenue.
“Local officers and armed officers attended, alongside the London Ambulance Service.
“The suspect also attempted to stab police officers, and was tasered before being arrested. No officers were injured.
“Two men – one in his 70s and one in his 30s – were treated at the scene for stab wounds. They have been taken to hospital and both are in a stable condition.
“A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He was taken into custody, where he remains. We are working to establish his nationality and background.
“Specialist officers from Counter Terrorism Policing are leading the investigation and working with the Metropolitan Police to establish the full circumstances and any links to terrorism.”
The Golders Green knife attack has since been declared a “terror incident”, police confirmed.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said his team had taken over the investigation.
“Our highly specialised teams of officers are working with the Metropolitan Police to progress the investigation quickly – and establish exactly what has happened,” he said.
“We are also working with the security services to ensure we have a full intelligence picture.
“One of the lines of enquiry is whether this attack was deliberately targeting the Jewish community in London.”
Taylor added: “Thank you to those who were in the area at the time and supported the response to this terrible incident.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, said: “Our thoughts are with the victims of this horrific attack. We are grateful to officers who swiftly Tasered and arrested the suspect before he could cause further harm.
“We are aware of the significant distress and concern this incident is likely to cause in the face of a number of incidents in the local area. A suspect is in custody, and investigators are considering all possible motives.
“Officers will remain at the scene for some time to carry out further enquiries, speak to local people and offer reassurance.”
The incident comes less than 24 hours after a suspected arson attack near a memorial wall in Golders Green added to community concern in the area.
Police were called to Limes Avenue on Monday after reports of a fire close to the memorial site, though the wall itself was not damaged.
The latest stabbing also follows a series of recent security incidents in north-west London, including an alleged arson attack in March that destroyed four Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green.
Counter-terror police have previously said they are examining links between several incidents involving Jewish, Israeli and Iranian-associated locations.
Police enquiries into Tuesday’s attack remain ongoing.
Dean Cohen, a local councillor in Golders Green, told Jewish News: “I’m shocked and appalled at this grave attack on Jews so soon after ambulances were burnt round the corner from here.
“Our thanks go to Hatzola and Shomrim for their incredible response, and my thoughts go to the victims and their families for a full recovery.”
Speaking in the House of Commons after news of the incident emerged, the Prime Minister described the attack as “deeply concerning” while addressing MPs.
Barnet Council also issued an update advising residents to avoid the area while police investigations continue.
Road closures remain in place affecting Highfield Avenue and Golders Green Road near the A406 junction, with further restrictions possible as enquiries progress.
In a statement, Barnet Council chief executive Cath Shaw said: “I am appalled by this senseless antisemitic attack on the Jewish community in Golders Green today. This is a shocking and deeply distressing incident, targeting people simply for who they are.
“My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the wider Jewish community at this time.
“I’d like to thank the emergency services who responded so quickly, including the Police and the volunteer neighbourhood watch charity, Shomrim, who acted so quickly to apprehend the suspect.
“We stand firmly alongside the Jewish community. There is absolutely no place for antisemitism, hatred or violence in Barnet.
“We will continue to work closely with the police and our partners to provide reassurance, support and practical measures to keep residents safe.”
In a post on social media, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the latest stabbing followed attacks on synagogues, Jewish institutions and community ambulances in the UK.
The ministry said: “After attacks on synagogues, Jewish institutions, community ambulances and now Jews targeted in Golders Green, the UK government can no longer claim this is under control.”
In a further statement, the Chief Rabbi said: “Following the antisemitic stabbing of two Jewish people on the streets of Golders Green this morning, words of condemnation are no longer sufficient.
“This must be a moment that demands meaningful action from every institution, every community, every leader, and every decent person in our country.
“This is a hatred that we must face down together.”
In a statement posted on social media, the Community Security Trust said: “There has been a knife attack today in Golders Green. The suspect has been arrested.
“We would like to thank Shomrim, Hatzola and the Metropolitan Police for their swift response.
“We are working closely with the police and urge anyone with information to contact the police, Shomrim and CST immediately.”
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