PM promises action after two Jewish men stabbed in suspected terror attack in Golders Green
There is both anger and anxiety in the wake of another apparently antisemitic attack in North London, as ITV News UK Editor Paul Brand, Correspondent John Ray and Political Editor Robert Peston report
The prime minister has vowed the government will take action to "deal with the roots of antisemitism and extremism", following the stabbing of two Jewish men in a suspected terror attack in Golders Green.
The men are being treated in hospital after being stabbed by a suspected terrorist who has a history of serious violence and mental health issues, according to police.
They have been named as Moshe Shine, 76, and Shilome Rand, 34.
ITV News understands Mr Shine is in a serious but stable condition. He had been at the bus stop when he was stabbed.
Mr Rand was going to pray at the synagogue when he was attacked. He is awake, ITV News understands.
A 45-year-old man, who is a British national, born in Somalia, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
He was initially taken to hospital but has since been discharged and has been taken to a London police station where he remains in police custody.
Speaking after chairing a Cobra meeting on the incident, Keir Starmer told broadcasters: "The Government is taking action in relation to security, cohesion, extremism, but of course it's our responsibility to co-ordinate the immediate response here to this appalling attack, to ensure security is in place, to take other measures.
"I'm holding a meeting tomorrow with the criminal justice agencies to make sure that we have effective and swift justice in these cases.
"But we do have to recognise the levels of anxiety and concern there are, that I know about in terms of the Jewish community feeling very much exposed and vulnerable, feeling they've got to hide their identity, sometimes in the health service, sometimes at school, on the streets where they live.
"It's our job to make sure that they feel safe and secure. It's our job to make sure that we absolutely deal with the roots of antisemitism and extremism. That is what we will do."
Earlier, Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and local MP Sarah Sackman faced chants of “shame on you” and “resign” near the scene of a double stabbing in Golders Green which has been declared a terror attack.
Rowley faced questions about whether the Jewish community was safe and could trust the Met to protect them.
Above: Moment the suspect is tasered by police in north London
The suspect was detained near the scene of the attack. He was tasered by police and repeatedly kicked by officers as they tried to take away a knife.
Rowley said: “This is an awful attack today. It is completely understandable why Jewish Londoners feel afraid.
“That’s why we’re putting so much extra policing into these events. And we’re going to be looking at what more we can do in forthcoming weeks.
“I’ve had so many thanks from Jewish communities over the last few weeks for all the extra policing that’s done, people recognise that officers are going above and beyond to protect them.
“Such as the officers today who put their lives on the line, taking on somebody they believed was carrying an explosive device.”
Asked directly if Jews were safe, he said: “I can never give an absolute assurance. We’re doing everything we can do to protect people in difficult times, and I’m calling on others to stand out and challenge the antisemitic licensing, which is going on.”
And he added: “Jewish communities are understandably angry. There’s been too many attacks. The response of our officers has been extraordinary. We’re doing everything we can do with the resources available, and I’ll be discussing with government in the forthcoming weeks what more they can do to help us and help the community.”
Above: Suspect lunges at a man in the street who manages to escape
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “His Majesty is being kept fully informed and is naturally deeply concerned, in particular about the impact for the Jewish community.
“His thoughts and prayers are with the two individuals who were injured and offers his heartfelt gratitude to those who so selflessly rushed to their aid.”
The King is out of the country in the middle of his state visit to the US.
The suspect was arrested after he was seen running along Golders Green Road armed with a knife and “attempting to stab Jewish members of the public”, Jewish neighbourhood watch group Shomrim said.
One of the group's security volunteers, Yonathan Elkouby helped restrain the man as police arrived to arrest him.
He told ITV News he arrived at the scene as a police were closing in on the suspect. He blocked the man's path and with his car and then got out to help bring him to the ground, despite the fact the suspect was carrying a knife.
"I stood up and protected the community," he told ITV News.
"... the main two things that was going into my mind is make sure the community is safe and that suspect is being detained and being restrained and obviously I had the thought of making sure that I'm also safe at the same time."
The disturbing attack prompted calls for action from the Chief Rabbi and the Israeli foreign ministry, following a series of incidents targeting Jewish sites in London.
Above: the moment the suspect is arrested. (Video credit: X @N12NEWS)
Terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said one of the lines of inquiry is whether the Golders Green attack was “deliberately targeting the Jewish community”.
He told reporters: “I would like to praise the bravery of the police officers and members of the public who were at the scene and responded.
“At 11.16am this morning, two men, aged 76 and 34, were attacked on Highfield Avenue in Barnet. They suffered stab wounds in the attack, and are now being looked after in hospital.
“Metropolitan Police officers responding to the incident were also attacked, leading to the tasering and arrest of a 45-year-old man.
“He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and he remains in police custody. And Counter Terrorism Policing are now leading the investigation.
“I can also confirm that this has now formally been declared a terrorist incident."
Above: A mum describes hearing 'horrendous screaming' as the attacks unfolded
One witness to Wednesday’s incident described the suspect walking away from the scene as one of the victims bled from his neck.
The 45-year-old suspect tried to stab police officers when he was stopped in Golders Green, and was tasered before being arrested.
Two victims are in a stable condition in hospital after the attack shortly after 11am in Highfield Avenue.
Footage postage on social media shows an older man putting on a kippah as he waits at a bus stop, before the attacker lunges at him.
Above: A moment the suspected knifeman attacks a victim at a bus stop
Later on Wednesday, the Met Police said officers were carrying out a search at an address in south east London.
"As part of this investigation, detectives are also looking into an incident that was reported to police earlier today in south east London," the Met statement said. "It is believed that the suspect in this incident is the same individual arrested in Golders Green."
It said police were called to an incident at an address in Great Dover Street, SE1 involving a suspect armed with a knife.
"He is believed to have had an altercation with the occupant before leaving. The occupant received minor injuries and police arrived within around six minutes of being called. Officers carried out searches in the local area for the suspect, but he was not located.
"Officers also carried out enquiries to locate the man at an address connected to the suspect, but again, he was not located."
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis 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.”
The Israeli foreign ministry also called for stronger action.
“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,” it said.
“Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s statements are no substitute for confronting the roots of antisemitism festering across the United Kingdom.
“British Jews should not need security patrols and emergency volunteers to live openly as Jews.
“Enough words. The UK must act decisively and urgently.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told MPs the incident in Golders Green was “deeply concerning”.
Speaking in the Commons earlier on Wednesday, Starmer said he had been told about the incident before attending Prime Minister’s Questions.
He told MPs: “It is deeply concerning to everyone in this House.
“There is now a police investigation and I think we all need to do everything we can to support that investigation and be absolutely clear in our determination to deal with any of these offences, the like of which we have seen too much recently.”
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said the attack was horrific, adding: “No-one should live in fear because of who they are.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she is being kept updated by police.
She said: “My thoughts are with the victims of the abhorrent attack in Golders Green this morning, and the Jewish community.”
Sarah Sackman, the MP for Finchley and Golders Green, said: “Attacks on British Jews are an attack on Britain itself.”
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan urged anyone with information to contact police, and said the Metropolitan Police will step up patrols in the wake of the stabbings.
He said: “There has been an appalling attack on two Jewish Londoners in Golders Green.
“London’s Jewish community have been the target of a series of shocking antisemitic attacks.
“There must be absolutely no place for antisemitism in society.”
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said on X: “This is yet another appalling antisemitic attack.
“The Jewish community are not being properly protected from this hate.
“We have seen Iran sponsoring antisemitic attacks and Islamist extremism run rampant.
“The government must urgently step up tangible actions against antisemitism, Iran and Islamist extremism.”
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