Golders Green double stabbing: suspect referred to Prevent counter-terrorism programme in 2020

The Metropolitan police has confirmed the suspect in the Golders Green double stabbing was referred to Prevent, the official scheme trying to stop people becoming terrorists, in 2020. The Guardian understands his case was closed within six weeks by the deradicalisation scheme, which has faced previous criticism.

The attack on Wednesday is being treated as terrorism by police who are investigating whether the suspect who is in custody was targeting people who were Jewish, in the north London area. Police say a 45-year-old man was arrested at the scene, on suspicion of attempted murder.

In a statement counter-terrorism police said: "We can confirm the suspect was known to the Prevent programme and was subject to a Prevent referral in 2020, which was closed in the same year.

"Given the investigation remains ongoing, we will not be providing any further information in respect of this matter at this time and we remain focused on securing justice for the victims of this attack."

The Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said the suspect had a history of violence and mental health issues.

The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said he came to the UK lawfully as a child. The Metropolitan police said he was initially taken to hospital after being arrested but has since been discharged. He was taken to a London police station where he remains in custody.

Keir Starmer said an attack on the Jewish community "is an attack on all of us". "What we saw last night was people being targeted because they are Jewish, I'm absolutely clear about that," the prime minister said. "There's no getting away from the fact that this was not a one-off.

"This has been a series of attacks on our Jewish community, particularly in recent weeks, and there is a very deep sense of anxiety, of concern about security, about safety, about identity frankly."

Describing the "visceral feeling" among many British Jews, he added: "We have to be really clear that an attack on our Jewish community is an attack on all of us and we have to approach it in that way."

The prime minister said the government and criminal justice system must respond to the suspected terrorist attack in Golders Green in "a swift, agile and visible way", as he convened a meeting in Downing Street.

Jonathan Hall, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, has called for a pause in pro-Palestinian protests where "public demonisation and hatred is incubated" in response to the Golders Green stabbings, arguing that "demonisation of Jews and Israels and Zionists will lead to a terrorist attack".

The barrister acknowledged that the motivation of the 45-year-old suspect had yet to be established, but said that he believed there was a "social responsibility" to reduce the risk of attacks on the Jewish community, and said that antisemitism represented "a national security emergency".

In a statement, he said: "The starting point is the perpetrator, and to imagine what would have happened if the attack had been fatal (as it could have been), and how an inquest or public inquiry would approach the matter with the benefit of hindsight. What was there in his profile that made the attack more likely? Was all relevant information shared between the relevant agencies? Were opportunities missed? We wait an assessment to whether Iran commissioned or inspired this attack – but ultimately it takes a UK resident to carry out an attack, so this is a social responsibility too. How do we reduce the risk that such individuals will carry out attacks? This is where antisemitism in the public and private domain comes in."

The home secretary said that while protecting the Jewish community was a priority, she rejected the characterisation by Jonathan Hall that attacks on Jewish people was a "national emergency". "I think the phrase 'national emergency' has particular connotations," Shabana Mahmood told BBC Breakfast. "It means that for a period, you change your democracy, and you disapply some elements of our democratic society. I don't believe this is where we are today. But for me this is an absolutely pressing priority. It is an emergency for me as home secretary to respond to."

The government announced extra £25m to protect Jewish communities, with the home secretary saying she understands the fears faced by the Jewish community in the UK.

Several of the UK's leading imams have come together to "utterly condemn" the Golders Green attack. The leaders, including the chief Iman of Scotland, Sayed Razawi, alongside Jewish leaders signed the Drumlanrig Accords last year, which aims to strengthen Jewish-Muslim relationships in the UK.

In a statement, they said: "We note with grave concern the violent attack on two Jewish men in Golders Green, London. We extend our thoughts and solidarity to those injured, their families and the wider Jewish community. Any act of violence or intimidation directed at individuals because of their faith or identity is utterly unacceptable. Incidents which create fear within communities, particularly near places of worship or religious gathering, undermine the safety and cohesion of our shared society."

People in Golders Green and members of the wider Jewish community in Britain have expressed shock and grief after two men were stabbed in north London in an apparent antisemitic attack. Some have been left questioning whether it is still safe to remain in the UK.

"People feel scared, people feel unsafe," said Baruch Stern, of Gross Butchers near the scene of the attack. "People think, is it really the place for me to be here? Is the UK safe for Jewish people, or is it something we need to think about, moving away?"

John Mann, the government's independent adviser on antisemitism, said British Jews are at "breaking point" and feel they can no longer live safely in the UK. "Don't forget, everyone in the Jewish community is fleeing from somewhere," the Labour peer told Sky News. "Jewish people in this country have always had to flee from somewhere to get here."

Danny Grunfeld, 75, said he felt "just terrible" when he found out a man had been stabbed outside his house on Highbury Avenue. "It's very frightening," he added. "It's not a pleasant situation when you feel any minute you're getting out, your life is in danger."

Joseph Deutsch, 80, who said he has always lived in Golders Green, said he will not allow himself to be frightened by the attack. "I'm not going to give into it," he added. "That's exactly what they want us to feel: frightened."

Keir Starmer was heckled during his visit to Golders Green, with a group of around 100 people chanting "Keir Starmer, Jew harmer" and holding posters with the same slogan. They also chanted "Keir Starmer is a traitor" as well as "show your face".

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who visited Golders Green after the attack, said the community there does not feel the government is doing enough to protect Jewish people. "You could feel the fear that was on the streets," she told BBC Radio London.