A terrorist incident has been declared after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, north London.
A 76-year-old and a 34-year-old suffered knife wounds and have been taken to hospital, after they were attacked at around 11.16am on Highfield Avenue.
A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and was Tasered after he allegedly tried to stab police officers.
Jewish neighbourhood watch group Shomrim said a man was seen running along Golders Green Road armed with a knife and “attempting to stab Jewish members of the public”.
He was reportedly detained by members of the public before police arrested him. Jewish ambulance service Hatzola also took one person to hospital.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the “utterly appalling” attack and vowed that “those responsible will be brought to justice”.
Jewish charity the Community Security Trust (CST) said it was working closely with the police and urged anyone with information to contact the police, Shomrim and CST immediately.
The incident took place not far from where four Hatzola ambulances were set on fire in an antisemitic hate crime on Highfield Road in April. There has been a string of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in north London.
Key Points
- Terrorist incident declared after double stabbing in Golders Green
- Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
- Israel says Starmer can no longer claim antisemitism is under control
- Bystanders shout 'shame on you' to Met Police commissioner Mark Rowley
- Man arrested had 'history of serious violence and mental health issues'
- Starmer says attack 'deeply concerning'
Rowley pays tribute to police officers against crowd heckling
16:05 , Holly EvansSpeaking next to local MP Sarah Sackman, Sir Mark Rowley paid tribute to the police officers who attended the scene, after telling reporters that the suspect has a history of serious violence.
"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 said.
"These were not armed officers and they feared he was carrying an explosive device."
He says they managed to detain the man while he was trying to stab them, before he was Tasered and taken into custody.
"Without their bravery I doubt to think what the outcome could have been," he says.
Crowd shout 'shame on you' to Met Police commissioner Mark Rowley
16:02 , Holly EvansSir Mark Rowley is being heckled by bystanders as he speaks to reporters at the scene in Golders Green.
Chants of “shame on you” were made at the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police at the scene of a double stabbing.
Sir Mark made a statement from the cordon at the scene and when he finished bystanders began to shout “resign”.
They also chanted “shame on you” and one shouted “protect the Jewish people”.
Another shouted “you support the Sharia”.
Man arrested had 'history of serious violence and mental health issues'
16:00 , Holly EvansThe man arrested over the stabbing of two Jewish men in north London today "has a history of serious violence and mental health issues", Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley has said.
He said that the attack had been another "horrendous act of violence" directed at Jewish communities that will "rightly shock and anger people across London".
Man who was stabbed is a 'terrific guy' , local says
15:55 , Holly EvansThe man who was stabbed on Highfield Avenue in Golders Green on Wednesday is “a terrific guy”, his friend has said.
Eli V, 42, a friend of the younger victim who did not want to give his last name, said: “I knew one of the victims through the community. I run an institution on this road. It is shocking to be honest.”
He added: “He’s a terrific guy. We are a very close community. We know everyone.
“You don’t find this community anywhere else in the word. Everyone knows everyone. I have got the most beautiful messages from a lot of people.
“It is beautiful to see the pouring of love that does come from the community around us but we are insecure.
“My wife is scared to leave home.”
He said the younger victim was from north London.
Antisemitism monitoring group to 'increase security measures'
15:50 , Holly EvansThe Community Security Trust (CST) said it will be “increasing security measures even further” in the coming days after the Golders Green stabbings.
The CST, which monitors antisemitism in the UK, described the “series of violent attacks on the Jewish community” in recent weeks as “unprecedented and completely unacceptable”.
The organisation said: “We pay tribute to everyone who responded so bravely this morning and we will be increasing security measures even further, working with our partners in the police and government, in the coming days.
“This series of violent attacks on the Jewish community is unprecedented and completely unacceptable.
“It is an affront to our country and to our British way of life, and every effort must be made, by all parts of society, to combat it.”
Netanyahu says 'words are not enough to confront this scourge' of antisemitism
15:43 , Holly EvansThe office of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu have demanded action from the UK government to protect the Jewish community.
His official Twitter said: “Weakness gaslights one antisemitic attack after another in London.
“Words are not enough to confront this scourge.
“We demand and expect action by the British Government to protect the Jews of England and bring antisemites to justice.”
The Prime Minister's Office:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 29, 2026
Weakness gaslights one antisemitic attack after another in London.
Words are not enough to confront this scourge.
We demand and expect action by the British Government to protect the Jews of England and bring antisemites to justice.
Antisemitism becoming ‘normalised’ in London, Jewish community leaders say after Golders Green terrorist incident
15:38 , Holly Evans
Antisemitism becoming ‘normalised’, Jewish leaders say after Golders Green attack
Police investigating if attack was 'deliberately targeting' Jewish community
15:33 , Holly EvansSpeaking outside Scotland Yard on Wednesday, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor confirmed that the stabbing has been formally declared to be terrorism.
He said: “This has now formally been declared a terrorist incident. Our highly specialised teams of officers are working with the Metropolitan Police to progress this investigation quickly and establish exactly what has happened.
“We’re also working with our partners in the security services to ensure we have a full intelligence picture, and one of the lines of inquiry is whether this attack was deliberately targeting the Jewish community in London.”
Terrorist incident declared after double stabbing in Golders Green
15:30 , Holly EvansA terrorist incident has been declared after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said.
Two Jewish men who were stabbed on Wednesday are aged 76 and 34.
A 45-year-old man has been arrested following the attack.
‘ Are people safe to go out?’: Jewish Leadership Council react to stabbing in London
15:20 , Bryony GoochStarmer ‘can no longer claim antisemitism is under control’ after Golders Green attack, Israel says
15:15 , Bryony Gooch
Starmer ‘can no longer claim antisemitism is under control’, Israel says
2025 saw second highest annual total of anti-Jewish hate incidents - Community Security Trust
15:11 , Bryony GoochIn the year to March 2025, there were 106 religious hate crimes per 10,000 population targeted at Jewish people, the Home Office said in figures published in October.
Separate figures covering the 12 months of 2025, published earlier this year by the Community Security Trust (CST), concluded the second-highest annual total ever recorded for anti-Jewish hate incidents, at 3,700, up 4 per cent on the 3,556 incidents recorded in 2024.
The CST, which monitors antisemitism in the UK, said the annual record high remained at 4,298 antisemitic incidents reported in 2023, the year of the October 7 attack, which prompted a spike in recorded cases of anti-Jewish hate in the UK.
The 2025 report was also the first time more than 200 cases of anti-Jewish hate were recorded in every calendar month.
Watch: Antisemitism is becoming a pandemic warns Jewish Leadership Council chief
15:10 , Bryony GoochVictims' Commissioner calls for solidarity with British Jewish community
15:00 , Bryony GoochResponding to the stabbings in Golders Green, victims’ commissioner for England and Wales Claire Waxman said: “My thoughts are with the victims of today’s horrific antisemitic attack in Golders Green, and with the wider Jewish community who will be deeply shaken by this incident.
“This is yet another attack in a string of disturbing incidents targeting the Jewish community in this country. As a member of the community, I know how relentless and deeply frightening this feels.
“I urge everyone to stand in solidarity with the British Jewish community – not to be bystanders to this hate or to allow it to become normalised and accepted.
“We all have a responsibility to challenge antisemitism and hatred in all its forms, whether online, on our streets, in workplaces, in schools or on university campuses.
“It is now vital that the police and the wider criminal justice system give these attacks the priority and urgency they demand.
“Those responsible must be held to account swiftly and clear reassurance provided to the Jewish community, and more widely, that this hatred will not be tolerated and has no place in this country.”
Pictured: Members of the forensic team work after man arrested following stabbing in Golders Green
14:58 , Bryony Gooch
Watch: Shomrim’s emergency response unit volunteers speak at scene of Golders Green attack
14:57 , Bryony GoochShomrim: Volunteers have been 'stressed' as daily calls become more common
14:56 , Bryony GoochSteven Bak, a trustee of Shomrim North West, said: “In the past few months, our volunteers have been really stressed. We're receiving calls all day, every day. Could be something minor, could be something bigger.
“It's just getting more and more frequent and common and we just really need further assistance from the government.”
'He was trying to attack anyone visibly Jewish' - Shomrim gives account of incident
14:55 , Bryony GoochHarriette Boucher, reporting from Golders Green
Volunteers from Shomrim said they received a call on their hotline at 11.20 am today from someone “with a lot of panic in their voice”, who explained that a man was running around with a knife.
Ben Grossnass said: “It's a sunny Wednesday morning here in London, and [the victims] were coming out of the synagogue”.
He added that they were chased by a man with a knife “trying to stab them.”
“There was someone else standing at the bus stop on Golders Green Road outside a fruit store and he was pushed down to the ground, and the fellow jumped on top of him and stabbed him repeatedly.”
“He was trying to attack anyone visibly Jewish.”
For a “good ten minutes, he was roaming the streets, looking for someone else to attack.”
Within a minute of receiving the call, the team arrived at the scene, he said. A man was detained.
“We dispatched our team, our volunteers, to the scene strategically to understand, to ensure the safety of the people around.
“We are an organisation which would always run towards danger to protect the community. We're here always for the community, and nothing will ever stop us. No fear, no hate.
Shomrim volunteers call on government to 'crack down' on antisemitism
14:42 , Bryony GoochShomrim volunteers who attended the scene following the stabbings in Golders Green said “there are ways the government can crack down” on antisemitism and encourage the Jewish community to “stand up and stand resolute”.
Ben Grossnass, a volunteer in Shomrim’s emergency response unit, said: “We got a phone call to the hotline at 11.20am this morning, we were on the scene within a minute-and-a-half of the phone call.
“I saw a lot of shock in the street and the attacker was having CPR, I think he went into cardiac arrest after being tasered.
“It is fight or flight, I come out and deal with my emotions afterwards.
“There is a lot of hate in society and antisemitism. There are ways the government can crack down on this and it is time they did that.”
Mr Grossnass added in a message directed to the Jewish community: “We have got this and we will be stronger than ever. Stand up and stand resolute”.
CCTV shows knife attack on Jewish man in Golders Green as two stabbed
14:34 , Bryony Gooch
CCTV shows knife attack on Jewish man in Golders Green double stabbing
We must do more, says Streeting
14:31 , Jane DaltonHealth secretary Wes Streeting admitted “we’ve got to do more as a government and as a country” to protect Jewish people.
He said: “An attack on Britain’s Jewish community is an attack on us all and our way of life.
“This is happening again and again and again.
“I’d like to thank Hatzola, Shomrim and the emergency services for their swift response – but we’ve got more to do as a Government and as a country.”
'Pandemic of hatred gives us feeling of horror'
14:26 , Jane DaltonHarriette Boucher reporting from Golders Green
Debbie Fox, chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council, said she was distraught by the attack.
“It's a feeling of horror. It's this pit in my stomach that seems to be there day in and day out.
“Most of us wake up every morning, and our first thoughts are when and where, but not if.
“This is not just a rise or a spate. This is becoming a pandemic.
“Jewish people living everywhere in this country and all over the world are fearful. The fear rises every day. We are anxious. The anxiety is becoming the norm.
“How terrified should we be? We have to be on guard all day, every day.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been the victims of today's attack, and we really pray for their full recovery and hope that we can live as Jewish people making a contribution to Britain without the fear that we are living with today.”
Three people were taken to hospital, ambulance crews say
14:20 , Jane DaltonA London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 11.22am today (29 April) to reports of a stabbing on Highfield Avenue, NW11.
“We sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, paramedics in fast response cars, an advanced paramedic and an incident response officer. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.
“We treated three patients in total. We conveyed two people to hospital and Hatzola took one person to hospital.”
Watch: Police cordon in place after men stabbed
14:18 , Jane DaltonChief rabbi calls for 'meaningful action' to defeat hatred
14:16 , Jane DaltonThe chief rabbi has called for “meaningful action” after the stabbing of two Jewish men in north London, saying “words of condemnation are no longer sufficient”.
Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: “Following the antisemitic stabbing of two Jewish people on the streets of Golders Green this morning, 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. This is a hatred that we must face down together.”
Jewish man says family will consider leaving UK
14:13 , Harriette BoucherHarriette Boucher reporting from Golders Green
Israel Morgenstern, 48, raced out of work when he found out the son of his close friend was stabbed today.
He says as soon as he heard about the stabbing, he thought it could be time for his family to leave the UK.
Mr Morgenstern, who has lived in Britain for 15 years, said he had never seen the Jewish community targeted as much as in recent weeks. “We are concerned for our kids who are walking on the street, going shopping. We don't know if they're coming back home.”
In the light of recent events, he said both the government and police needed to immediately take action to protect Jewish people.
“I think we need to have training. I think the police needs to have training. The police in this neighbourhood should have guns with them, not Tasers.”
Israel slates Starmer over UK 'out-of-control antisemitism'
14:07 , Jane DaltonIsrael’s foreign ministry said UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s statements were “no substitute for confronting the roots of antisemitism” and “the UK government can no longer claim this is under control”, following the Golders Green stabbings.
Pictured: Police at the scene of stabbing
14:04 , Jane Dalton
Watch: Man pinned to ground in handcuffs
13:59 , Jane Dalton
Man pinned to ground in handcuffs after stabbing attack in Golders Green
Counter-Terror Police lead investigation
13:46 , Jane DaltonSpecialist officers from Counter-Terrorism Policing are leading the investigation and working with the Metropolitan Police 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.”
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.”
Suspected knifeman was Tasered
13:44 , Jane DaltonThe suspected Golders Green knifeman was Tasered after he tried to stab police officers, the Metropolitan Police said.
They said officers were working to establish his nationality and background. The man is in custody.
Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
13:41 , Jane DaltonBreaking news: 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 say.
In pictures: Community members gather at scene
13:40 , Jane Dalton
Downing Street: Antisemitic hatred 'is rising once again and we must defeat it'
13:30 , Bryony GoochAntisemitic 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.
Lord Walney: 'We hope security services can establish facts and secure the area as soon as possible'
13:27 , Bryony GoochLord Walney, the government's former adviser on political violence, said that he hoped security services would establish the facts as soon as possible.
"This appears to be the latest hideous attack in the violent security nightmare facing Jewish communities across the UK,” he said. “We pray for the victims and hope the security services can establish facts and secure the area for frightened residents as soon as possible."
Home secretary shares thoughts with victims of Golders Green attack
13:25 , Bryony GoochHome 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.”
In pictures: Golders Green covered in police tape as police investigate attack
13:21 , Bryony Gooch
Watch: Police appear to arrest man after two people stabbed in Golders Green
13:13 , Bryony GoochDavid Lammy calls Golders Green attack 'horrific'
13:13 , Bryony GoochDeputy 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.”
Mayor of London condemns 'appalling attack' on Jewish Londoners
13:09 , Bryony GoochMayor of London Sadiq Khan has commented on the incident in Golders Green.
Sir Sadiq said: “There has been an appalling attack on two Jewish Londoners in Golders Green. The police have made an arrest and I’d like to thank all the emergency services and heroic volunteers from @Hatzola @ShomrimLondon in the area for their swift response to this horrific incident.”
Exclusive: Shomrim chief says one of the victims is 'badly injured'
13:07 , Bryony GoochRabbi Herschel Gluck, president of Shomrim Stamford Hill, has told The Independent that one of the victims is “badly injured” as he relayed hopes the Government will do more to protect the Jewish community.
He said: "It's deeply shocking but sadly not surprising. We've been warning that this might happen and that the government needs to take the correct action in order to prevent this. Sadly they didn't listen, but I hope that that will change now.”
He confirmed he knew the victims.
"One of them actually lives in Stamford Hill, but he was in Golders Green. They're both from our community. One of them has been badly injured.
“We look forward for positive constructive measures to enhance the protection of the community.”
Labour MP for Finchley and Golders Green: Attack on British Jews 'an attack on Britain itself'
13:03 , Bryony GoochThe Labour MP for Finchley and Golders Green, Sarah Sackman, said attacks “on British Jews are an attack on Britain itself”, after two men were stabbed in her constituency.
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.”
Shadow home secretary condemns 'yet another appalling antisemitic attack'
12:52 , Bryony GoochThe reported stabbings in Golders Green, north London, on Wednesday are “yet another appalling antisemitic attack”, shadow home secretary Chris Philp said.
In a post on X, he 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.”
In pictures: Hatzola and police at the scene of the stabbing
12:48 , Bryony Gooch
Golders Green incident raised in Commons by 'worried' Labour MP
12:46 , Bryony GoochThe incident in Golders Green was raised in the Commons by Hornsey and Friern Barnet MP Catherine West.
She said: “The whole House will be very concerned to hear about the dreadful stabbings this morning in the borough of Barnet.”
The Labour MP said she was “very worried about this repeated violence against the Jewish community”.
She added: “We condemn these alleged attacks and we wish the police, the council and all the community services the very best in solving this and bringing to justice those perpetrators of these violent crimes.”
Board of Deputies of British Jews aware of reported stabbing
12:44 , Bryony GoochIn a post on social media 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.”
Community Security Trust working closely with the police
12:42 , Bryony GoochIn a post on social media 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.”
Starmer says incident is 'deeply concerning'
12:40 , Bryony GoochPrime minister Sir Keir Starmer told MPs the incident in Golders Green was “deeply concerning”.
Suspect arrested after two people stabbed, says Shomrim
12:36 , Bryony GoochA man has been arrested after two people were stabbed in north-west London on Wednesday morning, a Jewish neighbourhood watch group said.
The man was seen running along Golders Green Road armed with a knife and “attempting to stab Jewish members of the public”, Shomrim said on social media.
He was detained by members of the group before police officers tasered and arrested him, the group said.
Two people stabbed and being treated by Hatzola
12:36 , Bryony GoochShomrim reported two people were stabbed and are being treated by Hatzola, a Jewish volunteer ambulance service, in Golders Green on Wednesday morning.
The incident comes in the wake of a series of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in north London.
In a post on X, Jewish charity the Community Security Trust added: “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.”
