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On Wednesday morning, a volunteer from Shomrim, a Jewish community security group, responded to reports of a man stabbing people in Golders Green, north London. Unaware at the time that the incident would later be classified as a terrorist act by the Metropolitan Police, the team quickly dispatched members to the scene. Two Jewish men, aged 34 and 76, were victims of the stabbing and are currently in stable condition. These attacks follow a recent pattern of arson targeting Jewish properties across London.
Shomrim, established in 2008, operates with just under 50 volunteers and patrols Jewish neighborhoods in north London to enhance safety. The group, which has around 40 members available around the clock, collaborates closely with local residents, police forces, and other agencies to prevent crime. Ben Grossnass, a Shomrim volunteer, emphasized their swift action: “We were first on scene, and we apprehended him together with the police.” He also expressed frustration at the ongoing violence affecting the community, highlighting recent attacks on synagogues and community centers. Grossnass implored the government to take stronger action beyond verbal support: “The government do have the resources to assist, we would very much welcome that rather than the words which unfortunately is not good enough at this time.”
Following the event, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reassured the public, declaring that the government will exert every effort to protect the Jewish community. Mahmood condemned any situation where Jewish citizens feel compelled to “lead smaller lives” for safety and announced that police presence would remain heightened. She supported the Metropolitan Police’s decision to label the stabbing a terrorist incident. The Met responded at 11:16 BST after reports came in of stabbing attacks on Highfield Avenue, an area adjoining Golders Green Road.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage have surfaced showing the attack unfold, including an image of an older man putting on a kippah at a bus stop just moments before the assailant lunged at him. Tariq Aziz, a local pizza shop worker, assisted the 76-year-old victim by providing tissues and alerting police to the suspect’s location. The 45-year-old attacker did not attempt to flee and was subdued by officers using a Taser. During the arrest, a police officer kicked the suspect to disarm him after he continued to pose a threat. The suspect, who has a history of serious violence and mental health issues, remains in custody. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley praised the bravery of both officers and local volunteers, including Shomrim members, who confronted the attacker despite fearing he may have been carrying explosives. Rowley acknowledged the ongoing challenges but affirmed the force’s commitment to safeguarding the community. Steven Bak, another Shomrim volunteer, spoke of the lingering shock in the area but stressed the importance of unity: “We’re all shocked… So we have to pull together like we normally do, and just try and continue life.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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