'It was horrific': Jewish security volunteers first on scene of Golders Green attack

A Jewish volunteer who helped apprehend the attacker in a stabbing in Golders Green has described a scene of "pandemonium on the streets".

Two Jewish men, aged 34 and 76, were stabbed in north London on Wednesday, in what police have declared as a terrorist incident. Both men are in a stable condition.

"It was horrific," Ben Grossnass, from Jewish security group Shomrim, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

The incident follows a spate of arson attacks against Jewish property in London in recent weeks which had already left communities fearing for their safety.

Grossnass, who was among the first on the scene of Wednesday's incident, said the Jewish community had still been on edge following an arson attack on ambulances run by Hatzola, a Jewish medical charity, in March.

"We haven't got over yet from the previous incident, and this has happened, and we've had small incidents in the past three, four weeks, also targeted at synagogues and community centres.

"It's just one after another and we [are] just crying out to the government to listen to us, feel the pain of the community. What's going on?" he said.

Yonathan Elkouby, another volunteer from Shromrim, which carries out civilian patrols in the area, said he drove to the scene on Wednesday from his nearby job and blocked the suspect with his car in order to help police officers detain him.

"At that moment, I had no idea that two people had been stabbed, all I knew was the guy had a knife," the 33-year-old told PA news agency.

"Afterwards when I think about it, it was quite traumatising, because I was thinking the guy did come towards me, he was going towards the police, to all the people around him."

Elkouby said he held the attacker's legs and one of his hands while the man was on the ground, after police officers had Tasered him.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on Wednesday insisted the government would "strain every sinew" to keep the Jewish community safe.

Mahmood said she would not "tolerate a situation where our Jewish citizens have to lead smaller lives" to keep themselves safe and vowed that "an enhanced police presence" would continue.

The Met said its officers responded at 11:16 BST on Wednesday after receiving reports that people had been stabbed in Highfield Avenue, which runs off Golders Green Road.

Footage posted on social media after the attack happened appears to show an older man putting on a kippah as he waits at a bus stop, before the attacker lunges at him.

Local pizza shop worker Tariq Aziz said he helped the 76-year-old stab victim after he saw him bleeding from his neck.

"He came to our shop and then I gave him a tissue and helped him, and then police came suddenly and arrest the guy," Aziz told PA Media.

The attacker was then arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

"He has a history of serious violence and mental health issues," Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said on Wednesday afternoon.

Rowley also praised the "extraordinary" actions of the officers and local volunteers who apprehended the man - who remains in custody.

"Without their bravery I dread to think what the outcome would have been. I also want to recognise the extraordinary voluntary first responders from the community, including the Shomrim," he said.

Steven Bak, another Shomrim volunteer, said locals remained on edge, but vowed to keep standing together.

"We're all shocked," Bak told the BBC. "Our kids are in shock and fear and having a hard time at the moment, just going up, walking, going to the shops, going to synagogue.

"So we have to pull together like we normally do, and just try and continue life."