Two Jewish men stabbed in Golders Green knife rampage as man, 45, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
Counter-terror police are leading an investigation after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, north London. A 45-year-old man, who also tried to stab police, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
Two people have been stabbed in a street in north London by a man who targeted members of the Jewish community yards from a synagogue.
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The victims are understood to be members of the orthodox Jewish community in Golders Green.
They are both understood to have suffered serious injuries but are in stable condition.
LBC is aware of CCTV that shows an elderly Jewish man waiting at a bus stop being stabbed repeatedly in the face by an assailant who appears to pull a knife from his jacket pocket.
Jewish community safety group Shomrim said that a man was running along Golders Green Road trying to stab Jewish people.
A witness told LBC that one person was stabbed outside Hager's Shul synagogue before the attacker ran down Golders Green road towards Hendon where another victim was attacked.
Both victims received treatment at the scene.
Witness Anthony, told LBC: “It was a stabbing outside the synagogue on Highfield Avenue.” He added that the attacker “ran down the road” where he stabbed someone else “seriously.”
“Police got there and Tasered the guy,” he added.
“Everything is cordoned off.
“They’re landing the helicopter to take away the person injured. “It looked like a targeted attack on the Jewish community. There is no question - in this moment - you can tell in the way it’s been done.
“The amount of police cars here, it feels like the whole police force is here. You can tell it’s something serious.
“It’s my second shock in 6 weeks. It’s just next to where the Hatzola ambulances were set on fire.”
Shomrim said a suspect had been detained at the scene after being Tasered by police.
Two stab victims were being treated by Hatzola, the Jewish community ambulance service that saw four of its ambulances torched in an arson attack recently.
They are understood to be seriously injured but in stable condition.+
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.
“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.”
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.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan posted online: "There has been an appalling attack on two Jewish Londoners in Golders Green. The police have made an arrest and I’d like to thank all the emergency services and heroic volunteers from Hatzola and Shomrim for their swift response to this horrific incident.
"I’m in close contact with the Met Police who will be providing further updates. 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. The Met have stepped up high visibility patrols in the area."
A spokesperson for 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.
“Two victims have been stabbed and are being treated by Hatzola. The suspect is in custody. Hatzola is on the scene and treating two people.”
A CST spokesperson 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 Met Police for their swift response. We are working closely with the police and urge anyone with information to contact the police and CST immediately.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "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."
Sir Keir Starmer said: "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've seen too much recently."
Police are investigating an arson attack on a memorial wall streets away from today’s incident.
The memorial wall is a tribute to protesters killed in a crackdown in Iran in January.
Police were called to reports of a fire there at 7.28pm on Monday and the investigation is now being led by Counter Terror Policing, Scotland Yard said yesterday.
The attack also comes after four Jewish volunteer ambulances were set on fire in a ‘sickening’ anti-Semitic hate crime.
Three masked individuals were seen on CCTV approaching ambulances belonging to the Hatzola Northwest organisation before setting them on fire.