Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called for a “swift, agile and visible” response from the government and criminal justice system following a suspected terrorist attack in north-west London. Speaking after a Downing Street meeting, he said it was “absolutely clear” that the victims were targeted for being Jewish, and that the attack was not a one-off but part of a series of assaults on the Jewish community.
Starmer emphasised that “an attack on our Jewish community is an attack on all of us”, and described the fight against antisemitism as “our fight as well”. He acknowledged the “visceral feeling” of anxiety among British Jews, and said solidarity must be backed by action. The meeting came after two men were stabbed in Golders Green on Wednesday; police are treating the incident as terrorism.
The government has announced an additional £25 million to boost security for Jewish communities, including increased police patrols and protection around synagogues, schools and community centres. Ministers also said legislation to create proscription-like powers against state-sponsored groups would be fast-tracked, with draft laws expected in the King’s Speech on 13 May. However, there is pressure to go further, including calls to ban pro-Palestinian marches.
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. The victims, Shilome Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, remain in hospital in a stable condition. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said the suspect has a history of serious violence and mental health issues.
Local residents expressed fear and uncertainty about their safety in the UK. Baruch Stern, a butcher near the scene, said people are questioning whether the country is safe for Jewish people. Sue Siegel of the Jewish Council of Scotland said some members are avoiding wearing visible religious symbols, and that the current climate feels reminiscent of the period before the Holocaust. Rand, one of the victims, criticised the government for not doing enough in recent months.
