Two people have been stabbed in Golders Green, north-west London, after a man was seen running along Golders Green Road armed with a knife and “attempting to stab Jewish members of the public”, according to the Jewish security group Shomrim.
The organisation said its members detained the suspect before police arrived and used a stun gun to subdue and arrest him.
The incident occurred close to a memorial wall that was the target of an attempted arson attack earlier in the week, and near the site where four Jewish community ambulances were set on fire in March. The area has recently seen a number of reported incidents involving Jewish sites.
The Metropolitan Police statement further indicated that, officers were called to reports of a stabbing in Highfield Avenue, Barnet, where local and armed officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service.
The force confirmed that a suspect also attempted to stab responding officers before being Tasered and arrested, with no officers injured. Two men, one in his 70s and another in his 30s, were treated at the scene for stab wounds and taken to hospital, where both are in a stable condition. A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody while officers work to establish his nationality and background.
The statement added that specialist counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation in coordination with the Metropolitan Police to determine the full circumstances of the incident and whether there are any links to terrorism.
Speaking in the House of Commons ahead of Prime Minister’s Questions, UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer said he had been informed of the incident and described it as “deeply concerning.”
“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’ve seen too much recently.”
Keir Starmer
Moreover, London Mayor Sadiq Khan also indicated that, he was in close contact with the Metropolitan Police, which has increased high-visibility patrols in the area. He described the attack as “appalling” and said there must be “no place for antisemitism in society.”
Community and Political Leaders Respond to Rising Concern Over Antisemitic Violence
The stabbing in Golders Green has intensified concern among community leaders and politicians over a recent pattern of attacks targeting Jewish sites and individuals in north-west London.
The area has seen multiple incidents in recent weeks, including an attempted arson attack on a memorial wall and the destruction of four Jewish community ambulances in a separate fire in March. These incidents have heightened anxiety among residents and prompted increased coordination between community security groups and police.
The CST said it was continuing to work closely with law enforcement and urged the public to report any relevant information. Emergency responders and volunteers were widely praised for their rapid intervention during the latest incident.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey expressed solidarity with the victims and the wider Jewish community, saying that “hatred like this has no place in Britain” and calling for more robust efforts to tackle antisemitism.
Moreover, Sarah Sackman, MP for Finchley and Golders Green stated that, “Attacks on British Jews are an attack on Britain itself.”
Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Philp has also called it “yet another appalling antisemitic attack” and urged stronger government action against extremism.
“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.”
Chris Phiip
Moreover, Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of Exchequer posted on her social page stating, “I am horrified by the events in Golders Green today. The poison of antisemitism has no place in our country. Those responsible will be brought to justice. My thanks to Shomrim, Hatzola and our emergency services who put their safety on the line to help others.”
Despite the shock of the latest attack, community representatives have also stressed the importance of maintaining cohesion and resisting isolation. One rabbi said the response should focus not only on security but on preserving a multicultural society in which communities can continue to live side by side.
While investigations continue, authorities have increased security in the local area while determining whether the recent incident is part of a larger pattern of targeted violence
