'Shame on you!' Met Commissioner faces calls to resign as he's heckled at scene of Golders Green terror attack
The police chief was taking questions in Golders Green on Wednesday afternoon after a terrorist incident had been declared
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has been heckled while speaking at the scene where two Jewish men were stabbed in north London.
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The police chief was taking questions in Golders Green on Wednesday afternoon after a terrorist incident had been declared following the double stabbing.
Sir Mark struggled to give answers as bystanders shouted "shame on you" and called on him to resign following a string of alleged attacks on London's Jewish community in recent months.
Read more: LIVE - Golders Green double stabbing declared a terrorist incident
It came as his police force said it was working with security services after a knifeman stabbed two men, aged 76 and 34, shortly after 11am.
Authorities are investigating "whether this attack was deliberately targeting the Jewish community in London".
The male suspect, aged 45, also attempted to stab police officers before he was Tasered and arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The victims, who are both understood to be members of the orthodox community, are in a stable condition.
Addressing the media, Sir Mark said the suspect had a history of serious violence and mental health issues.
He went on to call the incident "another horrendous act of violence directed against our Jewish communities", adding that his thoughts were with the two British Jews attacked.
Footage shows the suspect, who is wearing a white T-shirt and grey trousers under a navy jacket as well as backpack, being Tasered in the road by two officers as sirens wail and people shout in the background.
The commissioner paid tribute to those officers, as they were not armed and "feared" the suspect was carrying an "explosive device".
"Without their bravery I doubt to think what the outcome could have been," he said.
Sir Mark was asked whether visibly Jewish people were safe on London's streets, as the scene of the attack is within half-a-mile from a memorial wall where an attempted arson took place on Monday.
It is also to near where four Jewish community ambulances were destroyed in firebomb attack in late March.
He said it is "completely understandable" why Jewish Londoners feel afraid, adding that "extra policing" was being put out and the force was looking at what more it can do.
Sir Mark also told reporters that antisemitism is "fuelled by hateful and extremist ideologies".
"It comes from hostile states, the extreme right, and the extreme left. These are terrorist and hateful belief systems but they're all rooted in racism," the police chief said.
"Why don't we see more condemnation of the attacks we've seen in recent weeks? Where are all the voices against hate? And where is the solidarity with fellow Londoners who are being targeted simply for who they are?"
Asked about the "shame on you" chants, Sir Mark said he had received "so many thanks from Jewish communities" in recent weeks over the extra policing that is done.
Scotland Yard said in a statement that counter terror police would be leading the investigation.
A spokesman said officers responded following reports of people being stabbed in Highfield Avenue, Barnet.
According to local residents, one of the victims was stabbed outside shops on Golders Green Road, while the other man was attacked on a side road outside a synagogue on Highfield Avenue.
One witness said the suspect walked away from the scene as of the victims bled from the neck.
The suspect is currently being held in custody, while officers work to establish his nationality and background.
In a statement, the Met said: “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."