Two Stabbed in Golders Green; 45-Year-Old Suspect Arrested

Specialist officers from Counter Terrorism Policing are leading the investigation and working with police to establish the full circumstances and any links to terrorism, the Met said in a statement.

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."

Detective chief superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, added: "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.

A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two men – one in his 70s and one in his 30s – were stabbed in Golders Green this morning, the Metropolitan Police said.

The force said in a statement: "An investigation is under way and a man has been arrested following a stabbing incident in Barnet. At 11:16hrs on Wednesday 29 April, officers responded following reports of people stabbed in Highfield Avenue. Local officers and armed officers attended, alongside the London Ambulance Service. 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."

Deputy prime minister David Lammy said the Golders Green attack is "horrific". "No one should live in fear because of who they are," he said. "We stand with the Jewish community and we must root out this hatred."

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "My thoughts are with the victims of the abhorrent attack in Golders Green this morning, and the Jewish community. "I'm grateful for the work of the community and the police in apprehending the suspect, and to the emergency services for their quick response. "The suspect is now in custody and I'm being kept updated on the situation."

Antisemitic hatred "is rising once again and we must defeat it," Downing Street has said following the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green. "It's a deeply shocking incident," the prime minister's spokesman told reporters. "A live police investigation is under way so it would be inappropriate for me to go further than that."

The official also said: "We know that many in the Jewish community face a daily threat of antisemitic hatred. And this is a hatred that is rising once again and we must defeat it. "That's why we're backing the Jewish community with record levels of security funding and clear action to root out any antisemitism wherever it appears including in universities, charities and in the NHS."

London mayor Sadiq Khan said the attack was "appalling" and that he was in close contact with the Metropolitan Police. The Met has stepped up high-visibility patrols in the area, and thanked the emergency services and "heroic volunteers" for their response to the incident.

Khan added: "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 latest incident comes after a series of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in north London. In a post on social media the Jewish charity the Community Security Trust said: "There has been a knife attack today in Golders Green. The suspect has been arrested. We would like to thank @shomrimlondon, @Hatzola and @metpoliceuk for their swift response. We are working closely with the police and urge anyone with information to contact the police, Shomrim and CST immediately."

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said: "We are aware of a reported stabbing incident in Golders Green, with two injured. The police have apprehended a suspect. We are liaising with the CST, government and police to understand what has happened and ensure a forceful response."

Responding to news of the attack, Keir Starmer told MPs at prime minister's questions: "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 have seen too much recently."

Keir Starmer described the Golders Green stabbings as "utterly appalling" and vowed to bring those responsible to justice. Posting on X, he said: "The antisemitic attack in Golders Green is utterly appalling. Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain. Thank you to Shomrim, Hatzola and the police for acting swiftly. Those responsible will be brought to justice."