Moment hero locals at Kosher shop use trollies to stop man with knife

29 January 2024 , 18:56

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Moment hero locals at Kosher shop use trollies to stop man with knife

This is the alarming moment a man wielded a knife and shouted “you are not real Jews” at a kosher delicatessen today - but was challenged by hero shoppers.

The suspect was caught on camera waving the blade as desperate staff and shoppers at Kay's Local in Golders Green, north London, rallied to keep safe. They used trolleys, brooms and childrens' scooters to keep the man at a safe distance after his shocking outburst at around 1.30pm today.

Police say a man was arrested but admit the confrontation "will cause concern in the community," an area of the capital with a high Jewish population, which has been at unease for months amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Speaking to the Mirror, a source close to the community and part of crime prevention group Shomrim said: "It is disturbing. This male had been trying to engage in conversation regarding the Palestinian and the Israeli conflict in Gaza. Members of staff tried not to engage in conversation but, after a time he pulled out a large blue knife and staff used trolleys, brooms and scooters children had left outside to try to disarm the victim."

A man was pictured wielding a knife at shoppers at the Kosher supermarket (@efrayimGoldstein #ShomrimFounder)

Somehow, no one was injured amid the confrontation, something Shomrim, a neighbourhood watch group, says was because staff and shoppers remained resilient. The spokesperson added: "Thank God no one was injured. It's largely as a result of the fact that the staff at the shop and the people there did their utmost to avoid having any sort of conversation about the conflict. Bear in mind, Jews in Britain don't necessarily identify as Israelis and are certainly not interested in having a conversation or an argument about the conflict.

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"It's very scary that somebody who's starting to have a conversation is carrying a knife like this. It goes to show that sometimes conversations led to actions and that is what Jews fear most at the moment, especially the Orthodox Jewish community. It is the most visible community."

Another source told the Mirror: "A man with a knife was standing outside the Kosher supermarket saying 'in the name of Palestine' and he took out a knife on the local shoppers and shopkeeper... He got tackled to the ground in the end, and thank God no one was injured."

A volunteer with another neighbourhood watch group is understood to have assisted in an arrest nearby. Shocked witnesses also dashed to help police after officers arrived within minutes.

Footage shows witnesses exclaim in horror after spotting the large blade in a man's hand. In the clip, a witness is heard saying: "He's got a knife, he's got a knife. Call police." Audio in the clip appears to record the worried witness talk to officers on the phone.

It is said the man tried to engage in conversation with shoppers before he took out the blade (@efrayimGoldstein #ShomrimFounder)

A volunteer from a neighbourhood watch group helped detain a man (@efrayimGoldstein #ShomrimFounder)

Although the Metropolitan Police said the incident will cause concern in the north London community, a spokesperson added it is not being treated as terror-related.

The spokesperson added: "We were called at 13:27hrs on Monday, 29 January to reports of a man with a knife in Hamilton Road, NW11. Officers responded and carried out a search of the area.

"Shortly before 13:40hrs a 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, criminal damage and racially-aggravated affray. He was taken into custody. There were no reports of any injuries. A knife was recovered at the scene."

Inspector Scott Barden-Marshall, from the local policing team in northwest London, said: "I know this incident will cause concern in the community. Officers responded quickly and made an arrest within 10 minutes. An investigation is now under way." The incident is not being treated as terror-related."

Bradley Jolly