Barnet incident
Man charged in connection with attack in Barnet
1 May 2026 06:30
A 45-year-old man has been charged following a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation into an attack during which two men were stabbed in Golders Green.
Following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, Essa Suleiman (02.02.1981) of Camberwell has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place in relation to an attack in Golders Green on Wednesday 29 April.
Suleiman was also charged with attempted murder in relation to a separate incident on the same date in Great Dover Street. He has been remanded in police custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 1 May.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation said: “Our thoughts remain with the victims involved and specialist officers continue to provide them with support as their recovery continues.
“We are determined to get justice for the victims and now that a person has been charged, I would urge everyone to avoid any further speculation in relation to this case so that justice can run its course.”
Background
At 11:16hrs on Wednesday 29 April, officers responded following reports of people stabbed in Highfield Avenue.
Local officers and armed officers attended, alongside the London Ambulance Service. The suspect was Tasered before being arrested.
Two men – aged 76 and 34 – were treated at the scene for stab wounds. Both men were taken to hospital. The 34-year-old has since been released from hospital and the 76-year-old remains there in a stable condition.
A 45-year-old man, who is a British national, born in Somalia, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He was initially taken to hospital but has since been discharged and has been taken to a London police station where he remains in police custody.
As part of this investigation, detectives were also made aware of an incident that was reported to police earlier on Wednesday 29 April in south east London. It is believed the suspect in this incident was the same individual arrested in Golders Green.
Police were called at approximately 08:50hrs on 29 April to an incident at an address in Great Dover Street, SE1. The suspect, who is reported to have been armed with a knife, is believed to have had an altercation with the occupant before leaving. The occupant received minor injuries and police arrived within around six minutes of being called. Officers carried out searches in the local area for the suspect, but he was not located. Officers also carried out enquiries to locate the man at an address connected to the suspect, but again, he was not located.
The attack in Golders Green was formally declared a terrorist incident and officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London continue to lead the investigation, which remains ongoing.
Since the attack on the Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green on 23 March, there have been 28 arrests linked to the various incidents and CTP investigations that have followed – including a man arrested on April 29 in relation to a terrorist incident in Golders Green. Of those 28 who have been arrested, eight people have been charged with arson-related offences and one person has been convicted of arson.
CTP officers continue to work closely with Met Police colleagues in response this latest attack, as well various other recent arson incidents. A significant policing operation has been in place to provide reassurance and deterrence which has been further enhanced, following the incident on Wednesday, using both highly visible and other specialist police resources.
Update on Investigation into Barnet Attack
29 April 2026 22:00
The Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London investigation into a terrorist incident in Golders Green where two men were stabbed remains ongoing.
At 11:16hrs on Wednesday 29 April, officers responded following reports of people stabbed in Highfield Avenue.
Local officers and armed officers attended, alongside the London Ambulance Service.
The suspect also attempted to stab police officers, and was Tasered before being arrested. No officers were injured.
Two men – aged 76 and 34 – were treated at the scene for stab wounds. Both men were taken to hospital and where they remain in a stable condition.
A 45-year-old man, who is a British national, born in Somalia, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He was initially taken to hospital but has since been discharged and has been taken to a London police station where he remains in police custody.
The attack in Golders Green was formally declared a terrorist incident.
Officers are carrying out a search at an address in south east London.
As part of this investigation, detectives are also looking into an incident that was reported to police earlier today in south east London. It is believed that the suspect in this incident is the same individual arrested in Golders Green.
Police were called at approximately 08:50hrs on 29 April to an incident at and address in Great Dover Street, SE1. The suspect who is reported to have been armed with a knife, is believed to have had an altercation with the occupant before leaving. The occupant received minor injuries and police arrived within around six minutes of being called. Officers carried out searches in the local area for the suspect, but he was not located.
Officers also carried out enquiries to locate the man at an address connected to the suspect, but again, he was not located.
The focus of the investigation team remains on securing justice for the victims of this terrible attack.
Detectives are keen to hear from anyone who may have information about this incident that could assist the investigation. Anyone with information can call police, in confidence, on 0800 555 111, or report it via gov.uk/ACT
CTP officers continue to work closely with Met Police colleagues in response this latest attack, as well various other recent arson incidents. A significant policing operation has been in place to provide reassurance and deterrence which has been further enhanced, following today’s incident using both highly visible and other specialist police resources.
Statement following the stabbings in Golders Green today (29.04.2026).
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor
29 April 2026
Earlier today, police responded to a horrifying attack on the streets of London. My thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by what happened. I would like to praise the bravery of the police officers and members of the public who were at the scene and responded.
At 11.16 this morning, two men – aged 76 and 34 – were attacked on Highfield Avenue in Barnet. They suffered stab wounds in the attack and are now being looked after in hospital.
Metropolitan Police officers responding to the incident, were also attacked, leading to the tasering and arrest of a 45-year-old man. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in police custody.
Counter Terrorism Policing are leading the investigation. I can also confirm that this has now formally been declared a terrorist incident.
Our highly specialised teams of officers are working with the Metropolitan Police to progress the investigation quickly – and establish exactly what has happened. We are also working with the security services, to ensure we have a full intelligence picture.
One of the lines of enquiry is whether this attack was deliberately targeting the Jewish community in London. That community are strong, but they will be incredibly concerned to see and hear what has happened today, particularly in the wake of other incidents in recent weeks. That concern will be felt not just in the capital, but in communities and homes across the UK.
I want to make it clear that Counter Terrorism Policing and police forces up and down the country are mobilising to provide additional support and reassurance, and request that the public are vigilant and stand alongside communities who may be feeling worried this evening.
Please report anything that doesn’t feel right and be alert to what is happening where you live.
Information you share, can make a difference.