london —
Two Jewish people were stabbed in north London on Wednesday, a witness told CNN. The incident came against the backdrop of a series of anti-Semitic attacks in the British capital.
According to a statement from the Metropolitan Police Department, a 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after he also allegedly tried to stab a police officer.
Police said counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation and are working to determine the suspect’s nationality, background and ties to terrorist organizations.
Two men, one in his 70s and the other in his 30s, were injured in the attack in Golders Green and are in a stable condition in hospital, police added. No officers were injured in the attack, and police responded at 11:16 a.m.
Local surveillance and emergency response agency Shomrim said a man with a knife was seen running and “attempting to stab ordinary Jews.” The group added that they responded quickly and police deployed Tasers upon their arrival.
By the time CNN arrived at the scene, police had cordoned off a wide swath of the road and several emergency vehicles were called out, including an ambulance and a police helicopter.
Police cordoned off after two stabbings in north London, Jewish Neighborhood Watch group says
A video circulating on social media also showed a man being detained by multiple police officers and two men in plain clothes.
London’s Jewish community has faced a wave of anti-Semitic attacks in recent weeks.
Last month, arsonists set fire to four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity in Golders Green, north London. Four people were later charged by police.
Then, a few weeks later, the site of a synagogue and Jewish charity in north London was attacked.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the “anti-Semitic attack” as “absolutely appalling”.
“We all… need to be clear in our determination to tackle this kind of criminal behavior that we see far too often these days,” he told parliament.
He also thanked the local charity Shomrim, the Jewish ambulance service Hatzolah, and the police for their quick response.
Another prominent Jewish group, the British Jewish Parliamentary Committee, said it was working with police “to understand what happened and to ensure a strong response.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
