The stabbing of two individuals in north London on Wednesday has been classified as a terrorist attack, leading to a significant emergency response and an ongoing counter-terrorism probe.
Lawrence Taylor, the Deputy Commissioner and head of counter-terrorism at the Metropolitan Police, confirmed that they are investigating the motive and considering whether the incident specifically targeted the Jewish community.
Police were alerted to Highfield Avenue in Barnet around 11:16 a.m. due to reports of multiple stabbings, prompting responses from local officers, armed units, and the London Ambulance Service.
A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is currently in custody while authorities work to establish his nationality and background.
According to Taylor, the two victims, aged 76 and 34, received treatment for their stab wounds on-site before being transported to a hospital, where they remain under care.
Authorities indicated that the suspect had also attacked responding officers but was subdued using a Taser, with no officers sustaining injuries.
The investigation is being led by counter-terrorism officials who are collaborating with security teams to better understand the situation.
“I want to emphasize that we are in the early stages of this investigation, but we are moving quickly to piece together exactly what took place,” Taylor stated.
While the incident occurred in Barnet, near Golders Green—a neighborhood notable for its large Jewish population—the police haven’t confirmed the motive yet, despite indications that it may be an anti-Semitic act.
Shomrim, a volunteer neighborhood watch group for the Orthodox Jewish community, reported that a man “armed with a knife” was seen on Golders Green Road and was held by members until police arrived. They suggested that the suspect was targeting Jewish individuals, though police have not verified these claims independently.
In response to the growing distress this incident has caused, Detective Chief Inspector Luke Williams noted that the authorities are treating it with utmost seriousness and will maintain a police presence in the area for reassurance.
The attack has triggered heightened concern over anti-Semitic incidents in the UK, with police currently investigating various reports in London, although no direct connections to previous incidents have yet been established.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the violence, describing the attack on Jewish individuals as an assault on Britain itself. London Mayor Sadiq Khan echoed this sentiment, affirming that there is “no place for anti-Semitism” in the city.
Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch highlighted that the ongoing violence against Jews is not just an escalating trend but a national emergency requiring urgent action from the government.
Local Holocaust educator Dov Forman remarked that this incident is part of a more troubling trend. He expressed that fear has once again encroached upon the Jewish community in Golders Green.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his horror at the incident, calling for swift measures to protect Jewish people worldwide from such violence. He stressed the importance of taking action before another anti-Semitic attack occurs.
Authorities are encouraging anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues.
According to the Community Security Trust, reported anti-Semitic incidents in the UK have surged significantly since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, with 3,700 incidents documented in 2025, up from 1,662 in the previous year.
