The United Kingdom has raised its national terrorism threat level to “severe” following the stabbing attack in Golders Green, meaning an attack is now considered highly likely, according to the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre.
The development comes after police arrested Essa Suleiman, a 45-year-old British national originally from Somalia, in connection with the attack on two Jewish men in north London, Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Ben Baila, 76.
Authorities said the suspect has a history of serious violence and mental health concerns and had previously been referred to the government’s anti-extremism programme, Prevent, though the case was later closed.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed the elevated threat level and urged vigilance among the public. “I would urge all Londoners and visitors to remain calm and vigilant, and to report anything suspicious to the police,” he said, adding that more officers, including armed units, would be deployed to reassure communities, particularly Jewish residents.
The victims were taken to hospital following the attack. Rand’s mother described the incident as deeply distressing, saying: “My son was in the area for religious studies. He was attacked for no reason. He was stabbed in the chest and is still in hospital.”
Counter-terrorism officers are continuing investigations, including searches linked to the suspect in other parts of London.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack and warned against extremist rhetoric, stating: “Those who seek to harm and divide us through barbaric acts of terrorism will never succeed. We will never be cowed by terrorism.”
He also addressed wider concerns about antisemitism, saying: “If you stand alongside people who say ‘globalise the intifada’, you are calling for terrorism against Jews… It is racism, extreme racism, and it has left a minority community in this country scared.”
The attack has heightened concerns about security across the UK, with authorities maintaining that the raised threat level reflects both the incident and broader risks from extremist ideologies.
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