Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for a “swift, agile and visible” response from the government and criminal justice system following the suspected terrorist attack in Golders Green, north-west London. Speaking at a meeting in Downing Street with senior ministers and criminal justice agencies, Starmer condemned the attack and stressed that “an attack on our Jewish community is an attack on all of us.”
Starmer acknowledged the deep anxiety within the Jewish community, saying it was “absolutely clear” that the victims were targeted for being Jewish. He noted that the stabbings were not an isolated incident but part of a series of attacks in recent weeks. “There is a very deep sense of anxiety, of concern about security, about safety, about identity frankly,” he said.
The government announced an additional £25 million to enhance security for Jewish communities, including increased police patrols and protection around synagogues, schools, and community centres. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that the suspect, a 45-year-old British national born in Somalia, had been arrested. The victims, Shilome Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, remain in hospital in a stable condition.
Mahmood pledged to do “everything in my power” to keep British Jews safe, while Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley noted the suspect had a history of serious violence and mental health issues. The attack has heightened fears among Jewish residents, with some questioning whether it is safe to remain in the UK. Shilome Rand said Jewish people are “afraid and uncomfortable to walk down the street.”
The government is also fast-tracking legislation to create new powers to pursue individuals and organisations acting on behalf of state-sponsored groups. The draft laws are expected to be included in the King’s Speech on 13 May. Ministers face calls to ban pro-Palestinian marches, but no immediate action has been announced.
