An arrest has been made after two Jewish men were stabbed in a London neighbourhood on Wednesday, in what police are treating as a terrorist incident. The attacks occurred in the Golders Green area, which is home to a large Jewish community.
Details of the Attack
According to the BBC, one stabbing took place near shops, while the other occurred outside a synagogue. The victims, aged 76 and 34, sustained stab wounds and were taken to hospital for treatment. Police responded to the scene around 11:15 a.m. local time and were also attacked during the incident.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of the UK’s Counter Terrorism Policing, described the attack as “horrifying.” In a statement, he said, “My thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by what happened.”
Suspect Apprehended
The suspect, a 45-year-old man with a history of serious violence and mental health issues, was subdued by police using a Taser and arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. A video shared on social media platform X showed the arrest. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the suspect remains in custody.
“I can also confirm that this has now formally been declared a terrorist incident,” Taylor said. “Our highly specialized teams of officers are working with the Metropolitan Police to progress the investigation quickly — and establish exactly what has happened.”
Community Response
Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations in Britain, called for “meaningful action” following what he described as an antisemitic attack. In a post on X, he stated, “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.”
Metropolitan Police Chief Mark Rowley commended the bravery of the officers who arrested the suspect. “They confronted a man they believed to be a terrorist, who refused to show his hands, who was violent, and continued to pose a clear threat,” he told reporters. “These were not armed officers and they feared he was carrying an explosive device.”
Rowley acknowledged concerns about the safety of London’s Jewish community, saying he understands why people would be afraid.
