Following what police have called a terrorist incident in East London last night, Shomrim are in close contact with the Police who have provided reassurance in relation to the Jewish community and will be putting on extra reassurance patrols in Barnet .

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command are now investigating the incident at Leytonstone Underground station. Police were called at 19:06hrs on Saturday, 5 December to reports of a number of people stabbed at the station. The suspect was also reportedly threatening other people with a knife.

Officers from Waltham Forest borough arrived at the scene within five minutes of the emergency calls and were confronted by a man who was still in possession of a knife.

The officers attempted to engage with the man but were threatened with violence.
Officers discharged TASERs at the 29-year-old man who was then restrained and arrested (under PACE) for attempted murder at 19:14 hrs. He remains in custody at an east London police station.

Officers gave first aid to a 56-year-old man who sustained serious knife injuries. He was taken by the London Ambulance Service to an east London hospital where he remains in a stable condition; his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
A second man sustained a minor injury during the incident; he did not require medical assistance. A woman was threatened by the suspect but was not injured.  The underground station reopened at 03:00hrs on Sunday, 6 December.
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Detectives are currently searching a residential address in east London.

Commander Richard Walton, who leads the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, said:

“I would like to thank everyone who has so far provided information to officers and to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline following this unprovoked violent knife attack last evening at Leytonstone Underground Station.

“As a result of information received at the time from people who were at the scene and subsequent investigations carried out by the Counter Terrorism Command (SO15), I am treating this as a terrorist incident.

“I am aware that there were a number of members of the public in the underground station who filmed the suspect on their mobile phones during and after the attack and I would urge them to come forward and speak to us and share with us the filming that they carried out.

“I would continue to urge the public to remain calm, but alert and vigilant. The threat from terrorism   remains at severe, which means that a terrorist attack is highly likely.

Detective Superintendent Jacqueline Sebire, from Waltham Forest, said:

“This incident highlights the risks taken by our officers on a daily basis. When they are called to incidents such as these, they enter, not knowing what awaits them.  I would like to take this opportunity to praise not only their bravery in confronting the man who was in possession of a knife, but also their quick response in providing first aid to the victim whilst offering reassurance to the many members of the public who were travelling through the underground.

“We will continue to provide a visible presence in the area if anyone wishes to ask for advice about personal safety. We also remain in contact with community groups and local partners.”

Anyone who was in the vicinity of Leytonstone Underground Station at approximately 19:00hrs on Saturday, 5 December who saw anything suspicious is asked to call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.

Officers would also request that anyone who filmed the incident on their mobile phones upload their footage towww.ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk

Shomrim urge the community to remain calm  but vigilant. If you see or hear anything that could be terrorist-related, the National Counter Terrorism and Security Office asks that you call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 and in an emergency you contact 999.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)