Prime Minister Keir Starmer has demanded a “swift, agile and visible” response from the government and criminal justice system following the suspected terrorist attack in north-west London, as he convened a meeting with agencies and ministers in Downing Street. Speaking after the double stabbing in Golders Green, Starmer emphasised that “an attack on our Jewish community is an attack on all of us” and called the fight against antisemitism “our fight as well”.
The prime minister acknowledged the “visceral feeling” among many British Jews, stating it was “absolutely clear” that the victims had been targeted for being Jewish. “There’s no getting away from the fact that this was not a one-off,” he said, referring to a series of attacks on the Jewish community in recent weeks. Starmer stressed the need for solidarity and action, adding: “We do stand with our Jewish community – of course we do – but it’s our fight as well. It’s the fight of everyone in this country.”
The government announced an additional £25m investment to increase security for Jewish communities, funding police patrols and protection around synagogues, schools and community centres. Ministers also said legislation creating proscription-like powers to target individuals and organisations acting on behalf of malign state-sponsored groups would be “fast-tracked”, with draft laws expected in the King’s Speech on 13 May.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the suspect is a 45-year-old British national born in Somalia, who came to the UK lawfully as a child in the 1990s. The two victims, Shilome Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, remain in hospital in a stable condition. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said the individual in custody has a “history of serious violence and mental health issues”. Police are treating the attack as terrorism, with the suspect allegedly looking for anyone “visibly Jewish”.
Mahmood said she understood “the very real fear that is being felt” in the Jewish community and pledged to “do everything in my power” to keep British Jews safe. The stabbing follows a series of arson attacks on Jewish targets in London since March, including two previous incidents in Golders Green. Shilome Rand told ITV that Jewish people are “afraid and uncomfortable” walking the streets, while local residents have questioned whether it remains safe to stay in the UK.
