Two stabbed in Golders Green as knifeman seen 'chasing members of the Jewish community'

A suspect attempted to stab police officers and was tasered before being arrested.

Two men, one in his 70s and one in his 30s, were treated at the scene for stab wounds. Both men were 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. Officers from the Met Police confirmed they are working to establish his nationality and background.

Specialist officers from Counter-Terrorism Policing are leading the investigation and working with Scotland Yard to establish the full circumstances and any links to terrorism.

Head of Counter-Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor said:"Whilst I must stress this investigation is at an early stage, we are working quickly to understand exactly what happened.

"Thank you to those who were in the area at the time and supported the response to this terrible incident."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told MPs in the Commons the incident in Golders Green was "deeply concerning".

He said: "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 have seen too much recently."

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."

The Labour MP for Finchley and Golders Green, Sarah Sackman, said attacks "on British Jews are an attack on Britain itself."

The Courts Minister said: "I have been made aware of a serious stabbing in Golders Green. The suspect has been detained. I want to thank the vital work of Shomrim, who apprehended the perpetrator; Hatzola, the police and CST (Community Security Trust).

"The attacks on British Jews are an attack on Britain itself. It is unconscionable that Jews are being targeted in this way.

"I am meeting with the Home Secretary imminently to discuss the urgent situation."

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan praised the work of Hatzola and Shomrim as he said he was being kept updated about the incident.

He said: "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."

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said the Golders Green attack is “horrific”.

He said: "No one should live in fear because of who they are. We stand with the Jewish community and we must root out this hatred."

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: "Jewish people in our country are under constant attack. This is no longer a growing pattern. There is an epidemic of violence against Jewish people. It is now a national emergency and needs to be treated as such by the Government and public authorities."

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: The Government must do more to keep Jewish communities safe and confront antisemitism wherever it appears", while Green Party leader Zack Polanski said: "[I am] thinking of the victims, their families and everyone who will once again be shaken by this attack. Thank you to all of those involved with the emergency response."

The Chief Rabbi has called for "meaningful action", adding "words of condemnation are no longer sufficient".

Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: "This must be a moment that demands meaningful action from every institution, every community, every leader and every decent person in our country. This is a hatred that we must face down together."

Attorney General Lord Hermer said: "We don't yet know the full picture, so I would urge people to allow the police to do their urgent work. But I will say that these vile antisemitic acts are designed to strike fear into the heart of Britain's Jewish community.

"We will not allow them to win."