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The attack in Golders Green is an “escalation” from other antisemitic attacks in London, Sky News correspondent Olivia Guthrie said.

She highlighted that police confirmed that the incident was being treated as a terrorist incident, with counter-terror police now leading the investigation.

“They have declared that it is a terrorist incident,” Guthrie said.

Despite recent attacks, Guthrie said it is still “too early” to say who is behind today’s incident and what the motivation was behind it. 

“But there are reports that the attack on those ambulances was backed by the Iranian regime and that has led the shadow home secretary Chris Philp to call for Iranian diplomats and spies to be ejected from the UK,” she said. 

Arrested man ‘has history of serious violence and mental health issues’

The man arrested over the stabbing of two Jewish men in north London today “has a history of serious violence and mental health issues”, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley says. 

This morning’s attack was another “horrendous act of violence” directed at Jewish communities that will “rightly shock and anger people across London”, he says.

Rowley said his thoughts were with the two British Jewish men who were stabbed “while going about their daily lives”.

He also praised the police officers who were “on the scene within minutes” and whose actions “undoubtedly prevented further injury and save lives”.

Crowd chants ‘shame on you’ as Met Police chief speaks

Members of the crowd are shouting at Mark Rowley as he speaks.

A chant of “shame on you” can be heard as the police chief answers reporters’ questions.

Some individuals being encouraged by foreign groups, says police commissioner

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley says now is the time to ask “difficult questions”, adding international affairs should never be allowed to legitimise antisemitism.

“When that line is blurred, attacks become more likely,” he adds.

“Let me be clear, we’ve seen a rise in racist and antisemitic hate crime and whilst I can’t comment on my investigations, we know that some individuals are being encouraged, persuaded or paid to commit acts of violence on behalf of foreign organisations and hostile states.” 

Rowley warns anyone looking to act out of hatred, racism or antisemitism that police will “come after you and you will face the consequences”.