Antisemitic hatred “is rising once again and we must defeat it,” Downing Street has said following the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green.

“It’s a deeply shocking incident,” the prime minister’s spokesman told reporters.

“A live police investigation is under way so it would be inappropriate for me to go further than that.”

The official also said: “We know that many in the Jewish community face a daily threat of antisemitic hatred. And this is a hatred that is rising once again and we must defeat it.

“That’s why we’re backing the Jewish community with record levels of security funding and clear action to root out any antisemitism wherever it appears including in universities, charities and in the NHS.”

Here are some images from the scene in Golders Green this afternoon:

London mayor Sadiq Khan said the attack was “appalling” and that he was in close contact with the Metropolitan Police.

The Met has stepped up high-visibility patrols in the area, and thanked the emergency services and “heroic volunteers” for their response to the incident.

Khan added:

London’s Jewish community have been the target of a series of shocking antisemitic attacks.

There must be absolutely no place for antisemitism in society.

The latest incident comes after a series of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in north London.

In a post on social media the Jewish charity the Community Security Trust said:

There has been a knife attack today in Golders Green. The suspect has been arrested. We would like to thank @shomrimlondon, @Hatzola and @metpoliceuk for their swift response.

We are working closely with the police and urge anyone with information to contact the police, Shomrim and CST immediately.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said:

We are aware of a reported stabbing incident in Golders Green, with two injured. The police have apprehended a suspect. We are liaising with the CST, government and police to understand what has happened and ensure a forceful response.

Responding to news of the attack, Keir Starmer told MPs at prime minister’s questions:

It is deeply concerning to everyone in this house.

There is now a police investigation, and I think we all need to do everything we can to support that investigation and be absolutely clear in our determination to deal with any of these offences, the like of which we have seen too much recently.

Keir Starmer described the Golders Green stabbings as “utterly appalling” and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.

Posting on X, he said:

The antisemitic attack in Golders Green is utterly appalling.

Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain. Thank you to Shomrim, Hatzola and the police for acting swiftly.

Those responsible will be brought to justice.

A man has been arrested after two people were stabbed in Golders Green, north-west London, the Jewish neighbourhood watch group Shomrim has said.

The man was seen running along Golders Green Road armed with a knife and “attempting to stab Jewish members of the public”, Shomrim said on social media.

He was detained by members of the group before police officers used a stun gun on him and arrested him, the group said.

Shomrim said the two people stabbed were being treated by Hatzola, a Jewish volunteer ambulance service.

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