Bodycam footage has captured the dramatic moment a heroic police officer tasered a suspected knifeman to the ground and wrestled a blade from his hands in Golders Green, north London. The Metropolitan Police rushed to the suburb, which has a large Jewish population, after two men were stabbed in broad daylight yesterday.
Victims and Suspect
The victims, Moshe Shine, 76, and Shloime Rand, 34, were both hospitalised following the attack. Mr Rand was stabbed in the chest, with the knife narrowly missing vital organs, while Mr Shine was knifed in the neck at a bus stop just 400 yards away. A 45-year-old suspect was arrested. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley stated that the individual has a history of serious violence and mental health issues. The Daily Mail reports that the suspect is a British national born in Somalia and was known to the Government's Prevent de-radicalisation scheme.
The Incident
The bodycam footage shows the alleged attacker walking towards officers shortly after they arrived at the scene. As the officers retreat, they order the man to 'get down on the ground' and step back, with one officer deploying pepper spray. The suspect ignores the commands and advances, prompting an officer to fire a Taser, which initially has no effect. A second Taser shot is successful, and the suspect falls to the ground. Officers repeatedly shout 'drop the knife' as they grapple with him. A passerby assists the police in disarming the suspect. One officer manages to throw the knife away, while another officer and the bystander gain control of the man's arms. The suspect is then handcuffed and told he is under arrest for attempted murder.
Official Responses
Sir Mark Rowley praised the officers and the Jewish community security organisation Shomrim for their bravery. 'My first thoughts are with the two British Jews who were attacked while going about their daily lives,' he said. 'I also want to pay tribute to my officers, who were on the scene within minutes and whose actions undoubtedly prevented further injury and saved lives.' He added that the officers confronted a man they believed to be a terrorist, using only their training, courage, and Tasers. Rowley also condemned the rise in antisemitic hate crime, stating, 'If you act out of hatred, racism or antisemitism, we will come after you.'
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis demanded 'meaningful action,' and Donald Trump's antisemitism tsar said 'enough is enough.' Jonathan Hall, the independent reviewer of terror legislation, warned that antisemitic attacks amount to the 'biggest national security emergency since Covid.' Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch called the violence an 'epidemic' and a 'national emergency.' The Government has since announced an additional £25 million for increased police patrols and protective security for Jewish communities, bringing the total to £58 million for the year. Legislation will also be fast-tracked to target individuals acting on behalf of state-sponsored organisations.
The police cordon in Golders Green has been lifted, and traffic has resumed along Golders Green Road.
