Starmer says ‘antisemitic attack in Golders Green is utterly appalling’ after two people stabbed – latest updates | UK news
Starmer: Golders Green attack ‘extremely appalling’
Keir Starmer described the Golders Green stabbings as “utterly appalling” and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
He said the following in his post on X:
The antisemitic attack in Golders Green is absolutely appalling.
Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain. Thank you to Shomrim, Hatzola and the police for their quick action.
Those responsible will be brought to justice.
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Labour’s Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman said “attacks on British Jews are an attack on Britain itself” after two men were stabbed in her constituency.
Minister of Justice said:
I have been made aware of a serious stabbing in Golders Green. The suspect was detained. I would like to thank the vital efforts of Shomrim who caught the perpetrator; Hatzola, police and CST (Community Safety Foundation).
Attacks on British Jews are an attack on Britain itself. It is unconscionable for Jews to be targeted in this way. I will meet the interior minister soon to discuss the emergency situation.
The incident in Golders Green was raised in the House of Commons by Hornsey and Friern Barnet MP Catherine West.
He said:
The whole House will be very concerned to hear about the horrific stabbings in Barnet County this morning.
The Labor MP said he was “very concerned about this repeated violence against the Jewish community”.
He added:
We condemn these alleged attacks and wish the police, the council and all community services the best in resolving this situation and bringing the perpetrators of these violent crimes to justice.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the stabbings as “yet another appalling anti-Semitic attack”.
He said the following in his post on X:
This is another appalling antisemitic attack. The Jewish community cannot be properly protected from this hatred.
We have seen Iran sponsor antisemitic attacks and the proliferation of Islamist extremism. The government must urgently step up concrete action against anti-Semitism, Iran and Islamic extremism.
The Met said in a statement that specialist officers from the Counter Terrorism Police were leading the investigation and working with police to establish all the circumstances and any links to terrorism.
Counter-terrorism police chief Laurence Taylor said:
While I must emphasize that this investigation is at an early stage, we are working rapidly to understand exactly what happened.
We would like to thank those who were in the area at the time and supported the response to this terrible incident.
Detective Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, added:
Our thoughts are with the victims of this horrific attack. We are grateful to the officers who quickly tasered and arrested the suspect before he could cause further harm.
We are aware of the serious distress and concern this incident will cause in the face of many incidents occurring locally. A suspect is in custody and investigators are evaluating all possible motives.
Officers will remain at the scene for some time to carry out further inquiries, speak to local residents and provide reassurance.
Man, 45, arrested after double stabbing in Golders Green
The Metropolitan Police said a 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two men, one in his 70s and the other in his 30s, were stabbed in Golders Green this morning.
In his statement, Power said:
Investigations are ongoing and a man has been arrested following a stabbing in Barnet.
At 11.16am on Wednesday, April 29, officers attended on Highfield Avenue following reports of people being stabbed.
Local officers and armed officers attended, as well as the London Ambulance Service.
The suspect also attempted to stab police officers and was shot with a stun gun before being arrested. No officers were injured.
Two men, one in his 70s and the other in his 30s, were treated at the scene for stab wounds. They were taken to hospital and it was learned that both of them were in stable condition.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said the Golders Green attack was “appalling”.
“No one should live in fear because of who they are,” he said.
“We stand with the Jewish community and must root out this hatred.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “My thoughts are with the Jewish community and the victims of this morning’s disgusting attack in Golders Green.
“I am grateful to the community and the police in apprehending the suspect, and to the emergency services for their rapid response.
“The suspect is currently in custody and I am being briefed on the situation.”
Downing Street said in a statement following the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green that anti-Semitic hatred “is rising once again and we must defeat it”.
“This is an extremely shocking incident,” the prime minister’s spokesman told reporters.
“There is a live police investigation ongoing so it would be inappropriate for me to go any further than that.”
The official also said: “We know that many in the Jewish community face the threat of antisemitic hatred every day. This is hatred that is rising once again, and we must defeat it.”
“That’s why we’re supporting the Jewish community with record levels of security funding and clear action to root out antisemitism wherever it occurs, including in universities, charities and the NHS.”
Here are some images from the scene in Golders Green this afternoon:
London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemns ‘appalling’ attack
London mayor Sadiq Khan said the attack was “appalling” and he was in close contact with the Metropolitan Police.
The Met has increased high-visibility patrols in the area and thanked emergency services and “hero volunteers” for their response to the incident.
Khan added:
The Jewish community in London has been the target of a series of shocking anti-Semitic attacks.
Antisemitism should have absolutely no place in society.
The latest incident follows a series of arson attacks targeting Jewish settlements in north London.
Jewish charity Community Security Trust said in a post on social media:
There was a knife attack in Golders Green today. The suspect was arrested. Thanks to @shomrimlondon, @Hatzola and @metpoliceuk for their quick responses.
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 in Golders Green which left two injured. Police detained a suspect. We are liaising with CST, the government and the police to understand what happened and ensure a strong response.
Responding to the news of the attack, Keir Starmer told MPs in response to the prime minister’s questions:
This deeply concerns everyone in the house.
There is now a police investigation and I think we should all do everything we can to support that investigation and be absolutely clear in our determination to tackle these crimes, the likes of which we have seen so frequently in recent times.
Starmer: Golders Green attack ‘extremely appalling’
Keir Starmer described the Golders Green stabbings as “utterly appalling” and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
He said the following in his post on X:
The antisemitic attack in Golders Green is absolutely appalling.
Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain. Thank you to Shomrim, Hatzola and the police for their quick action.
Those responsible will be brought to justice.
Two men stabbed in Golders Green, north-west London, Jewish group says
Jewish neighborhood watch group Shomrim said a man was arrested after two people were stabbed in Golders Green, north-west London.
Shomrim said on social media that the man was seen running along Golders Green Road with a knife and “attempting to stab Jewish members of the public”.
The group said he was detained by members of the group before police officers used a stun gun on him and arrested him.
Shomrim said the two stabbed people were treated by Hatzola, the Jewish volunteer ambulance service.
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