Golders Green latest: UK terror threat raised to ‘severe’ – meaning attack is ‘highly likely’
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Raphael Afesomu
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30th April, 2026 | News
UK Terror Threat Raised to ‘Severe’ Following Golders Green Attack
LONDON — The UK’s national terror threat level has been elevated from substantial to severe for the first time since 2021, following a double stabbing in Golders Green on Wednesday. The “severe” rating indicates that an intelligence assessment deems a further attack “highly likely” within the next six months.
The move comes amid heightened tensions and growing security concerns across the capital, particularly within Jewish communities.
Prime Minister Heckled During Visit
Sir Keir Starmer faced a hostile reception today during a visit to the scene of the attack in Golders Green. The Prime Minister was met by a crowd of angry residents who booed and shouted slogans including “traitor.”
- Message from the Hospital: Shloime Rand, one of the two victims currently recovering in the hospital, spoke to Sky News with a direct message for the PM. Rand urged Starmer to “stop ignoring what’s happening on the streets of London and take charge.”
- Community Fear: Residents expressed a profound sense of abandonment, telling reporters, “We don’t feel protected.”
Suspect Named: A History of Violence
The Metropolitan Police have identified the 45-year-old suspect arrested on suspicion of attempted murder as Essa Suleiman.
Investigations have revealed a troubling criminal past:
- Previous Stabbing: Suleiman was previously jailed for the 2008 stabbing of a police officer and a police dog in Swindon.
- Known to Authorities: Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley confirmed the suspect has a “history of serious violence and mental health issues.”
- Officer’s Warning: The policeman stabbed by Suleiman in 2008 told Sky News he had long feared the suspect would reoffend, questioning why he was free to carry out Wednesday’s assault.
Security Response: “Alert, But Not Alarmed”
Counter-terrorism chief Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor stated that while the upgrade was triggered by the Golders Green incident, it was also informed by broader intelligence.
“We are asking the public to be alert, but not alarmed,” Taylor said, as police presence is stepped up at sensitive sites across the UK.
The Metropolitan Police also confirmed they are “keeping an open mind” regarding a recent house fire in Stamford Hill, investigating whether there is any link to the broader terror threat or recent anti-Semitic sentiment.
What the ‘Severe’ Threat Level Means
The upgrade to Severe is the second-highest level on the UK’s five-point scale:
- Low: An attack is highly unlikely.
- Moderate: An attack is possible but not likely.
- Substantial: An attack is likely.
- Severe: An attack is highly likely.
- Critical: An attack is highly likely in the near future.
Security services are urging citizens to report any suspicious activity to the anti-terror hotline as the investigation into Essa Suleiman’s motives and potential radicalization continues.
