The man suspected of carrying out a knife attack that left two Jewish men injured in Golders Green has appeared in court.
Essa Suleiman, 45, is in the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court after he was charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place over the incident in north London.
The Camberwell resident also stands charged with attempted murder in relation to a separate incident in Great Dover Street in Southwark earlier the same day.
Suleiman is a British national who was born in Somalia and came to Britain legally as a child in the 1990s. He was reported to Prevent, the government’s anti-extremism programme, in 2020 but the case was closed the same year.
Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Ben Baila, named locally as Moshe Shine, 76, were taken to hospital with knife wounds following the alleged attack on Wednesday morning.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police urged people not to speculate on the nature of the attack.
Key Points
- Suspect appears in court
- Man charged with attempted murder over Golders Green stabbing
- We need special police force to protect Jews, Met chief says
- Terror threat level raised to ‘severe’
- Police set to review marches across UK
Second victim was 'stabbed in the neck', prosecutors allege
12:26 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin is at Westminster Magistrates’ Court:
Norman Shine, 76, was waiting at a bus stop on Golders Green Road at the time of the attack, prosecutors said.
“In the course of the attack Mr Shine was stabbed in the neck,” Ms Harraway said. His injuries are not life threatening and he remains in hospital.
Suleiman suffered a medical episode on the street after officers tasered him several times and detained him, the court heard.
He was treated in hospital and discharged some hours later.
Suleiman stood with his hands on his hips as he was remanded in custody, before moving them behind his back.
Addressing the defendant, chief magistrate Paul Goldspring said: “You will be remanded in custody until 15 May when you will appear before the Central Criminal Court.”
Defendant encountered victim as he was leaving synagogue, court hears
12:21 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin is at Westminster Magistrates’ Court:
The defendant then travelled by public transport to Brent Cross underground, the prosecution allege.He encountered Shloime Rand, 34, at 11.16am on Highfield Avenue as he was leaving a synagogue.
Mr Rand, who ran back in the direction of the synagogue, realised he was bleeding from the chest following an altercation.
He suffered a punctured lung and has since been discharged from hospital, prosecutor Ms Harraway told the court.
Defendant allegedly tried to stab man prior to Golders Green incident, court hears
12:16 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin is at Westminster Magistrates’ Court:
The court heard Suleiman arrived at the Southwark home of Ishmail Hussein - who he had known for some time - at around 7.50am on Wednesday.
When he opened the door the defendant allegedly tried to stab him, the prosecution said.
Prosecutor Emma Harraway told the court Mr Hussein sustained minor injuries and called the police, the court heard.
Suspect was living in supported housing for people released from secure hospital
12:14 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin is at Westminster Magistrates’ Court:
Suleiman was living in supported housing for people released from secure hospitals, it has emerged.
The defendant, 45, was staying at an address in south east London. The area is covered by the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.
The trust has today confirmed he was under their care earlier this week.
A spokesperson for South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are aware of the police investigation taking place across London following the incident at Golders Green.
“This is an ongoing investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time.”
Suspect to next appear in court on 15 May
12:03 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin is at Westminster Magistrates’ Court:
Suleiman stood with his hands on hips as he was remanded in custody, before moving them behind his back.
Addressing the defendant, chief magistrate Paul Goldspring said: “You will be remanded in custody until the 15 May when you will appear before the Central Criminal Court.”
Suspect appears with a bloodshot eye and visible facial bruising
11:27 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin is at Westminster Magistrates’ Court:
The defendant had a bloodshot eye and visible bruising on his face. The court heard he was tasered multiple times by police as they attempted to detain him.
Pictures of Golders Green stabbing suspect as he appears in court
11:27 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWe can now bring you two pictures of the man charged over the knife attack in Golders Green.
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Suleiman remanded in custody following court appearance
11:21 , Nicole Wootton-CaneEssa Suleiman, 45, has been remanded in custody after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with attempted murder over the stabbings of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London.
Suspect appears in court
10:58 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin is at Westminster Magistrates’ Court:
Essa Suleiman has arrived in court. The 45-year-old appeared wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit, flanked by officers in the dock of courtroom one.
He sat with his arms crossed as he waited for proceedings to begin, before standing to confirm his name and date of birth.
Golders Green suspect had been under care of NHS mental health trust earlier this week
10:53 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe man charged with attempted murder following the stabbings in Golders Green earlier this week had been under the care of South London and Maudsley Trust’s mental health services.
Essa Suleiman, 45, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place over the incident in the north London suburb on Wednesday which left two Jewish men in hospital.
A spokesperson for South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are aware of the police investigation taking place across London following the incident at Golders Green.
“This is an ongoing investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time.”
Read Mark Rowley’s letter to Zack Polanksi in full as Met Commissioner hits back over Golders Green arrest
10:50 , Nicole Wootton-CaneBritain’s most senior police officer has said that Zack Polanski sharing a post about the arrest of the Golders Green suspect will have a “chilling effect”.
The Green Party leader retweeted an X post accusing officers of “repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head” when he was already incapacitated from being tasered.
But Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said in a letter to Mr Polanski that he was “disappointed”, adding that the post was “inaccurate and misinformed”.
You can read the full letter below:
Met Mark Rowley’s letter to Zack Polanksi in full following Golders Green arrest row
We need special police force to protect Jews, Met chief says
10:32 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has said there should be a special force to protect Jews from what he called an “epidemic” of antisemitism.
Sir Mark Rowley said on Friday he had submitted a proposal to Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, for the government to fund a permanent unit of about 300 extra neighbourhood and firearms officers.
He added he was concerned about the sustainability of the force’s current approach.
“I put a proposal into government about what it would take to be able to sustain this with a dedicated, enhanced neighbourhood policing presence focused on Jewish communities and some extra specialist resources, such as more firearms officers to support them, (the) best parts of 300 extra officers that we’re looking at, and I hope we get some resolution on the funding conversations with government imminently,” he told Times Radio.
“It’s good they’ve made some interim funding announcements, but to be able to recruit and sustain that, I need some urgent updates.”
It comes after the government announced a further £25m to support police patrols and protections around synagogues, schools and community centres, taking the total commitment this year to £58 million.
Legislation creating proscription-like powers to pursue people and organisations acting on behalf of malign state-sponsored groups will also be “fast-tracked” in the coming weeks, ministers have said.
In pictures: Van believed to be carrying suspect arrives at court
10:20 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Courtroom packed out ahead of suspect's court appearance
10:06 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin is at Westminster Magistrates’ Court:
The press gallery of courtroom one at Westminster Magistrates’ Court is packed with journalists ahead of the terror attack suspect’s hearing.
Essa Suleiman’s case is due to be heard by chief magistrate, Paul Goldspring.
The 45-year-old was tasered and arrested by police following Wednesday’s knife attack in Golders Green, with charges announced this morning.
Suspect due to appear in court this morning
10:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe man suspected of carrying out a knife attack in Golders Green is expected to appear in court on Friday morning.
Essa Suleiman, 45, is charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place in relation to the incident on Wednesday.
He also faces a charge of attempted murder in relation to a separate incident on the same date in south London.
Cricket club enhance security protocols after Golders Green attack
09:51 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSurrey have increased security and bag checks at the Oval following the Golders Green knife attacks.
The UK terrorism threat level was raised to “severe” on Thursday.
That is the second highest level on the scale and means the chance of terror attacks are considered ‘highly likely’ by authorities.
Surrey’s latest first-class fixture against Sussex runs from Friday to Monday.
A club statement read: “Surrey are in regular communication with the Met Police and will adjust our own security measures in line with the increased threat level. We want to ensure that all staff, spectators and players feel safe and secure at the Kia Oval and will take the action necessary to do so.
“Please note there will be additional security presence and heightened bag searches at this weekend’s Rothesay County Championship match with Sussex, so please allow additional time to enter the ground.”
Former home secretary tells Independent Zack Polanski ‘ought to be ashamed’ of himself and apologise
09:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Former home secretary Grant Shapps, who also served as defence secretary, has told the Independent Green leader Zack Polanski should apologise after he was accused of undermining officers by the head of the Metropolitan police.
Sir Mark Rowley hit out saying Mr Polanski had retweeted an “inaccurate and misinformed” post on X over the Golders Green attack, which accused officers of “repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head” when he was already incapacitated from being tasered.
Mr Shapps said: “Zack Polanski’s intervention is not just misguided – it is frankly disgraceful.
"Police officers were dealing with a violent attacker armed with a knife, who had just stabbed two people in the street, and was refusing to surrender his weapon.
"In those moments, their job is to stop the threat and protect the public, and by all accounts that is exactly what they did.
“For a national political leader to second-guess those officers, amplify unverified claims, and undermine confidence in policing in the immediate aftermath is deeply irresponsible. It sends entirely the wrong signal at a time when the Jewish community, targeted here and in the past few weeks – are looking to the police for protection and reassurance.
“Polanski should withdraw those comments and apologise. Criticising officers who have just put themselves in harm’s way to stop further bloodshed is not principled politics – it is reckless, and he ought to be ashamed of himself.”
In pictures: Protesters gather at Downing Street on Thursday evening
09:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Golders Green terror attack suspect Essa Suleiman was referred to government’s counterterror programme
09:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe suspect accused of stabbing two men in Golders Green was identified on Thursday as Essa Suleiman, a 45-year-old man who had previously been referred to the government’s counterterror programme.
The man, who was born in Somalia and came to Britain legally as a child in the 1990s, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder on Wednesday after two British Jewish men were attacked in north London.
Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, revealed at the scene that the suspect had a history of “serious violence and mental health issues”.
You can read more below:
Golders Green attack suspect named as it’s revealed he was referred to Prevent scheme
Watch: Golders Green arrest was reasonable use of force, says Met commissioner
08:55 , Nicole Wootton-CanePrevent programme 'can be improved', Met chief says
08:33 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said he is “sure” the government’s Prevent counter-extremism programme “can be improved further”.
In a statement on Thursday, the Metropolitan Police said the suspect in the double stabbing attack in Golders Green, north London, was referred to the Prevent programme in 2020.
Asked about whether he thinks the Prevent programme is working, Sir Mark told LBC on Friday morning: “So, there’s no diverting programme for any type of crime, whether it’s diverting people out of gangs or out of extremism, that will ever be 100 per cent successful.
“It has a lot of successes. I’m sure there’s ways it can be improved further.”
Chief Rabbi calls for 'national emergency' to be declared over antisemitism
08:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Commonwealth’s chief Rabbi has called for a “national emergency” to recognise the “root causes” of antisemitism in the UK.
Sir Ephraim Mirvis told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the country must consider whether there is state-sponsored terrorist activity within the UK.
“We cannot only treat the symptoms. We need to treat the root causes,” he said.
“We need a national emergency.”
He added the community “welcomes” new measures being brought in by the government but said he “wants to see more being done”.
Sir Ephraim also called for an “outright public condemnation” of antisemitism from the British public.
“The time has now come for the silent majority to raise its voice,” he said. “We want an outright public condemnation.”
Chief Rabbi calls for 'moratorium' on pro-Palestine protests
08:22 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Commonwealth’s chief Rabbi has said there is “deep concern” within the Jewish community over the government’s response to antisemitism in the UK adding it “has not been taken seriously enough”.
Sir Ephraim Mirvis told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme pro-Palestine protests should be “seriously questioned” and called for a “moratorium” on the demonstrations.
“There is so much deep concern” he said. “For a long time now we have been calling for zero tolerance on antisemitism, zero tolerance with regards of the demonstrations every week on our street, zero tolerance within the criminal justice system, zero tolerance on our campuses and schools, within the NHS and every sector of our society.”
He asked: “Why hasn’t it been taken seriously? We are witnessing the normalisation of antisemitism and it most definitely has not been taken seriously enough.”
'We have no power to ban protests,' Met chief says
08:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe chief of the Metropolitan Police has said the force has “no power” to ban protests.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Sir Mark Rowley said police cannot take away the right to protest, but can make a planned protest static.
“We have no power to ban protests, if somebody wants to protest it will take place,” he said. “All we can do is contain and condition.”
He added banning a march to make it static is a “very high bar” and declined to say whether a future planned pro-Palestine march would have conditions imposed on them.
“We’re looking hard at whether that is going to be justified,” he said.
“But I think stepping back from this British Jews need the support of all communities. Too often people are conflating different views people will have about what is going on in the Middle East and then visiting criticism on British Jews. It is not down to them, they are just British citizens.”
Minister repeatedly fails to say when Met will have funding for 300 extra officers
08:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
A minister has repeatedly failed to say when the Metropolitan Police would be given funding for 300 additional officers.Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has requested the extra officers to help protect Jewish communities, but Justice minister Alex Davies Jones was unable to say when this be able to happen.
“Discussions will be ongoing with the home secretary and I know that she is taking this extremely seriously,” she told the BBC.
“She was in Golders Green this week, she’s working with Sir Mark Rowley and she hears his calls for more officers, as she does across England and Wales.“It’s important that we get it right and we get the effective resourcing where we need it.”
Polanski risked ‘undermining Met officers’, police chief says after X post
07:59 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe head of the Metropolitan Police has explained why he chose to publicly criticise Green Party leader Zack Polanski over social media posts relating to the arrest of a suspect after the Golders Green attack.
In a rare intervention on Thursday, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley clashed with Mr Polanski for retweeting an X post accusing officers of “repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head” when he was already incapacitated from being tasered.
Sir Mark Rowley said he was “disappointed”, adding that the post was “inaccurate and misinformed”.
On Friday, Sir Mark told LBC the officers were still “shaken” hours after arrest, and explained why he chose to publish his letter to Mr Polanski: “I'm not interested in politics, but if somebody eminence…says something or does something which I see has a risk to undermining the confidence of my officers to act… then I need to intervene on that.
“And that's what I did with that letter.”
Government will take action on pro-Palestine protests ‘if we need to’, says minister
07:55 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe government will take action to potentially ban pro-Palestine protests “where necessary”, a government minister has said.
Justice minister Alex Davies Jones told Sky News that the right to protest is “fundamental”, but added some protests have been “hijacked” by people “seeking to cause and sow division and hatred”.
Asked if the government would temporarily ban pro-Palestine protests in the wake of the Golders Green attack, she told Sky News: “We will take action if we need to, and the home secretary did ban a march just last month to prevent that dangerous intimidation and threat that I've talked about.”
She added: “The government will take action where necessary, whilst also ensuring that we do protect people's rights to freedom of protest to ensure that they are reflecting the views of certain individuals in our country.”
Recap: Essa Suleiman charged with attempted murder over two separate incidents
07:50 , Nicole Wootton-CanePolice have charged a 45-year-old man with attempted murder after two Jewish men were stabbed in north London on Wednesday.
Essa Suleiman has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place over the incident in Golders Green, the Metropolitan Police said.
Suleiman, of Camberwell, south London, was also charged with attempted murder in relation to a separate incident in Great Dover Street in Southwark earlier the same day.
He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Suleiman was born in Somalia and came to the UK legally as a child in the 1990s, and was reported to Prevent, the government’s anti-extremism programme, in 2020 but the case was closed the same year.
Met chief 'very concerned' about sustainability of police approach to protecting Jewish communities
07:40 , Nicole Wootton-CaneMet Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said he is “very concerned” about the sustainability of the police’s current approach to protecting Jewish communities in London following the double stabbing in Golders Green.
Sir Mark told Times Radio on Friday morning: “I’m very concerned about the sustainability of our current approach, which is based on drafting resources from across London to augment the local teams.
“Obviously, the horrific attack took place on Wednesday. That evening, I put a proposal into Government about what it would take to be able to sustain this with a dedicated, enhanced neighbourhood policing presence focused on Jewish communities and some extra specialist resources, such as more firearms officers to support them, (the) best parts of 300 extra officers that we’re looking at, and I hope we get some resolution on the funding conversations with government imminently.
“It’s good they’ve made some interim funding announcements, but to be able to recruit and sustain that, I need some urgent updates.”
He also warned “we’re facing a sort of building, sort of pandemic of antisemitism in society”, adding “we need work done upstream to tackle those attitudes in society, which are far too prevalent”.
Minister: ‘The time for thoughts and prayers is over’
07:37 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
A government minister has doubled down on the government’s pledge to take action to protect the Jewish community following the Golders Green attack.
Justice minister Alex Davies Jones told Sky News that she “understands the strength of feeling” after the prime minister was heckled at the scene of the stabbing on Thursday.
“I do understand that strength of feeling. I have all of the sympathies for a community that is reeling in fear, in grief, in trauma,” she told Sky News.
“I was at Heaton Park in Manchester after the attack there, and again, we were met with very similar anger and grief. And the community are tired. They have told me directly that enough words, we need action now.
“The time for thoughts and prayers is over.”
Police urge public not to speculate as one charged
07:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneDetectives have urged the public not to speculate on details of the alleged attack in Golders Green on Wednesday after a man has been charged with attempted murder.
Essa Suleiman, 45, has been charged with attempted murder following the incident which left two men injured.
He also faces charges linked to a separate stabbing the same day and possession of a weapon.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation said: “Our thoughts remain with the victims involved and specialist officers continue to provide them with support as their recovery continues.
“We are determined to get justice for the victims and now that a person has been charged, I would urge everyone to avoid any further speculation in relation to this case so that justice can run its course.”
Jewish communities ‘under threat’ due to ‘pandemic’ of antisemitism, Met chief says
07:20 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Metropolitan police commissioner has said Jewish communities are “under threat” in the capital, after the UK terrorism threat level was raised to “severe”.
Sir Mark Rowley said police are dealing with “the symptoms of a disease” of antisemitism, which he said has been “building over many years”.
Asked if the Jewish community is currently under attack, Sir Mark told LBC: “They're certainly under threat, absolutely. The sustained series of arsons we've seen, and then this horrific attack on Wednesday, awful for the victims and their families. It's very much targeted at Jewish communities.”
He added: “I think we have to recognise that what police are dealing with and what we're trying to protect communities against, [is] the symptoms of a of a disease, of a pandemic perhaps, of antisemitism, which has been building over many years.”
Man charged with attempted murder over Golders Green stabbing
07:12 , Maroosha MuzaffarA 45-year-old man, Essa Suleiman, has been charged attempted murder after a knife attack in Golders Green, north London, which left two men injured and has been declared a terrorist incident.
He also faces charges linked to a separate stabbing the same day and possession of a weapon.
In response, the UK has raised its terror threat level to “severe,” meaning an attack is considered highly likely, with officials urging the public to “be alert, but not alarmed”.
Essa Suleiman, 45, charged with attempted murder after two Jewish men stabbed in Golders Green
06:59 , MehrajA British national born in Somalia has been charged with attempted murder over the stabbing of two Jewish men at Golders Green in north London.
Essa Suleiman, 45, was due to face court after the charge was announced on Friday.
The victims, Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Ben Baila, 76, were taken to hospital with knife wounds on Tuesday morning.
This blog will be paused until the morning
Friday 1 May 2026 00:08 , Daniel KeaneThank you for following our live coverage.
Editorial: British Jews failed by fatal culture of complacency
Thursday 30 April 2026 23:59 , Jane Dalton
British Jews have been failed by the UK’s fatal culture of complacency
Police to review whether marches will be allowed
Thursday 30 April 2026 23:00 , Jane DaltonPolice are to review whether marches will go ahead in the coming weeks after the UK terrorism threat level was raised to “severe”.
The Stop the War Coalition is planning a major demonstration in London on 16 May to mark Nakba Day, commemorating the 1948 displacement of Palestinians during the creation of Israel.
Asked about marches due to take place in the coming weeks, head of Counter Terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “As part of our review into the change in the threat level, policing will be reviewing all events across the country.
“My teams will be working with forces to ensure that we have appropriate protective security measures in place, that the appropriate mitigations are put in place, and we will be engaged with communities who will be affected by large events, as well as those involved in the events, so that we can keep them safe as they can be.”
Opinion: Being Jewish in Britain means living in a security ghetto
Thursday 30 April 2026 22:00 , Jane Dalton
Met chief warns Greens' Polanski of 'chilling effect' of arrest post
Thursday 30 April 2026 21:25 , Jane DaltonBritain’s top police officer says Green Party leader Zack Polanski sharing a post about the arrest of the Golders Green terror suspect will have a “chilling effect”.
Mr Polanski retweeted an X post accusing officers of “repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head” when he was already incapacitated from being Tasered.
But Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley told Mr Polanski in a letter that he was disappointed, adding that the post was “inaccurate and misinformed”.
Sir Mark said the officers were “nothing short of extraordinary”, saying: “Without their efforts to stop him, I dread to think what the outcome could have been.”
He added: “London’s Jewish communities are scared.
“They have experienced a series of targeted attacks on the community, and they expect our officers to act, protect them.
“That is exactly what our officers did yesterday. Your decision to criticise these officers, using your public profile and reach will have a chilling effect.”
A Green party spokesperson: “Zack has seen the video like everyone else, and doesn’t know the full picture and knows it was a very difficult situation for the authorities, but we do need to understand more about the response.”
Antisemitism campaigners call for timeline for action from Starmer
Thursday 30 April 2026 20:50 , Jane DaltonThe Campaign Against Antisemitism says words are no longer enough and called for a “timeline for action” following Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement of a crackdown on antisemitism.
A spokesperson said: “This is the second time since October 2023 that an embattled prime minister has belatedly given a strong speech on antisemitism that finally says what we’ve been saying all along but comes with no timeline for action.
“Words are no longer enough. Everything that the prime minister has said this afternoon could have been enacted over the past two years of this premiership, and he has only said them now because more Jews have been injured and we announced a rally outside Downing Street calling for a plan.
”We are fed up of words: we need action – and the prime minister still gave no sense of timeline of when that action will be forthcoming. This is a national emergency. Where is the urgency?”
The campaign says the situation is a national emergency.
This is a National Emergency.
— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) April 29, 2026
We need to dispense with the political platitudes. Prime Minister, what is your plan?
Six months ago we stood outside Downing Street after the fatal terrorist attack Heaton Park Synagogue.
Things have only got worse. More Jews attacked. Synagogues… pic.twitter.com/rNJ30Qt9Bm
In pictures: Demonstrators at Downing Street
Thursday 30 April 2026 20:23 , Jane Dalton
Protesters accuse ministers of appeasing fanatical hatred
Thursday 30 April 2026 20:08 , Jane DaltonDozens of protesters gathered outside Downing Street to demand that the prime minister tackle antisemitism.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) organised the rally after two Jews were stabbed in Golders Green on Wednesday.
Stephen Silverman, the CAA’s director of investigations and enforcement, told protesters in Whitehall, some of whom held Israeli flags: “We have seen no meaningful action which has consequences playing out before our eyes.
“This government has appeased this fanatical hatred. They gaslit us.
“Patriotic British Jews now worry about their safety each and every day and question their future in this country.
“Prime minister, how are you going to deal with this? Prime minister, what is your plan?”
Anti-terror unit Prevent that attack suspect was referred to
Thursday 30 April 2026 19:59 , Jane Dalton
What is Prevent? The anti-terror unit that Golders Green suspect was referred to
Police set to review 'all marches' across UK
Thursday 30 April 2026 19:50 , Jane DaltonHead of counter-terrorism policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said police would be reviewing all marches across the UK after the UK terrorism threat level was raised to severe.
He said: “As part of our review into the change in the threat level, policing will be reviewing all events across the country.
“My teams will be working with forces to ensure that we have appropriate protective security measures in place, that the appropriate mitigations are put in place, and we will be engaged with communities who will be affected by large events, as well as those involved in the events, so that we can keep them safe as they can be.”
Threat to UK Jewish and Israeli people and institutions raised, police chief warns
Thursday 30 April 2026 19:47 , Jane DaltonThe Metropolitan Police have seen an “elevated threat to Jewish and Israeli individuals and institutions in the UK”, according to head of counter-terrorism policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor.
He said: “Our casework is increasing across a number of ideologies, and within that, we are seeing an elevated threat to Jewish and Israeli individuals and institutions in the UK.
“We’re also working against an unpredictable global situation that has consequences closer to home, including physical threats by state-linked actors.”
The senior officer said there would be an enhanced police response in place across the country.
Officers will be “deploying unpredictably, which means sometimes you will see them and sometimes you won’t, but please know we are with you,” he added.
Women walk in solidarity with Jewish community
Thursday 30 April 2026 19:45 , Jane DaltonAround 100 women of different faiths have gathered in Golders Green to “walk in solidarity” in support of the Jewish community.
The inter-faith walk begun at Golders Green station on Thursday evening and will finish where the incidents happened along Golders Green Road.
Organisers Julie Siddiqi and Lyndsey Simmons said: “An attack on one part of our community is an attack on us all.
“We are walking today to show our support for the Jewish community in this country and to stand together against hatred and division.”
Speaking to women on the walk, Ms Siddiqi added: “It’s very powerful that we’re here as women.
“There was something very important for us to come together as women.”
In pictures: Fire erupts near synagogue
Thursday 30 April 2026 19:25 , Jane Dalton
Met Police refer themselves to watchdog over arrest
Thursday 30 April 2026 19:12 , Jane DaltonThe Metropolitan Police have referred themselves to the police complaints watchdog over the arrest of the suspect.
A spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct said: “We received a mandatory referral from the Met this afternoon, which relates to injuries reportedly sustained by the man who was arrested following yesterday’s attacks in Golders Green.
“The man was taken to hospital and discharged the same day. We are assessing the referral to decide what further action may be required.”
Green Party leader Zack Polanski and others have accused officers of using excessive force during the arrest.
Fire engulfs house near London synagogue
Thursday 30 April 2026 19:01 , Jane DaltonDozens of firefighters are battling a large blaze engulfing a house near a synagogue in northwest London.
Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters went to tackle the inferno in Cazenove Road, Stamford Hill, at 4.14pm today.
Officials warned it could take several hours to bring the fire under control.
Volunteers from Shomrim, the Jewish neighbourhood watch organisation, have been helping officers from Hackney police with road closures in the area.
Crowds gathered to watch the fire.
Watch: Starmer says government must be open to learning lessons on Prevent
Thursday 30 April 2026 18:30 , Jane DaltonUK was last at severe terror threat in November 2021
Thursday 30 April 2026 18:29 , Daniel KeaneThe UK was last at severe in November 2021, following the Liverpool Women’s Hospital bombing and murder of Sir David Amess.
It was then lowered to substantial in February 2022.
Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: "Today, the national threat level has increased to "severe", which means a terrorist attack is considered highly likely.
"I know this will be a source of concern to many, particularly amongst our Jewish community, who have suffered so much.
"The Government has today announced a significant increase in investment to protect our Jewish communities, with record funding for policing and security at synagogues, schools and community centres. And we will do everything in our power to rid society of the evil of antisemitism.
Stop the War warns of 'agenda to limit protesters' rights'
Thursday 30 April 2026 18:05 , Jane DaltonStop the War has suggested calls for a halt to its marches “appear to be part of a wider agenda to clamp down on protest more generally, and to limit our rights”.
The group said it condemned unequivocally the Golders Green attacks, “as we do all forms of antisemitism and racism”, adding: “No-one should be attacked for their race or religion.”
At the scene in Golders Green on Wednesday, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said debate about international affairs should not be allowed to justify antisemitism.
He said: “Legitimate concern or debate about international affairs must never be allowed to be used to legitimise antisemitism or violence against Jewish people here in Britain.
“When that line is blurred, attacks become more likely.”
Terror threat level raised to ‘severe’ after Golders Green attack
Thursday 30 April 2026 18:05 , Daniel KeaneThe UK terrorism threat level has been raised to “severe” in the wake of the Golders Green stabbings, meaning a terror attack is “highly likely”.
The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre announced the decision on Thursday, the day after two Jewish men were stabbed in north London and in the wake of a spate of attacks in Jewish neighbourhoods in recent weeks.
The body, which is based in MI5 but makes independent assessments, previously set the threat level at “substantial”, meaning an attack was “likely”.
