Golders Green stabbing being treated as terrorism

Two Jewish men have been stabbed in Golders Green, London, in an attack that is being treated as terrorism.

The two men, in their 70s and 30s, are in a stable condition in hospital.

A 45-year-old man has been arrested. The suspect is a British national who was born in Somalia and came the the UK legally as a child.

Officers responded to reports of a stabbing at 11:16am on Wednesday 29 April. Local officers attended alongside armed officers and the London Ambulance Service.

The suspect also attempted to stab police officers and was Tasered and then arrested.

Specialist officers from Counter Terrorism Policing are leading the investigation and working with the Metropolitan Police to establish the full circumstances. The attack has formally been declared a terrorist attack.

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.”

Officers are also carrying out a search at an address in south east London.

As part of the same investigation, officers are also looking into an incident that occurred earlier the same day in south east London. It is believed that the suspect in this incident is the same person arrested in Golders Green.

Police were called to an address on Great Dover Street, SE1 at approximately 08:50, with reports of a man armed with a knife. It is believed he had an altercation with occupant of the address before leaving. The occupant received minor injuries. Police searched the local area but the suspect was not located.

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: "This is another horrendous act of violence directed at our Jewish communities, which follows the targeted series of arson attacks, and it will rightly shock and anger people across London, in the immediate communities, and across the country.

"My first thoughts are with the two British Jews who were attacked while going about their daily lives, as they should be able to do freely and safely in their own local community. I also want to pay tribute to my officers, who were on the scene within a few minutes and whose actions undoubtedly prevented further injury and saved lives."

He continued: "Let me be clear about what this was.

"An attack on one community is an attack on all London’s communities.

"This was an attack on Londoners and it was an attack on British Jews.

"Too many Jewish people in this country feel they have to make choices that no Briton should ever have to make, about how they dress, where they go, or how visibly they live their lives. That is completely unacceptable and has gone on for far too long.

"We also need to be honest about the nature of the threat. 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 are all rooted in racism. They are given space to operate when civic debate is weak, when hatred is excused, and when people are unwilling to challenge it directly."

The BBC has since reported that the suspect was previously referred to Prevent. Rowley said he has a history of serious violence and mental health issues.