Shomrim Step In: Volunteers Reach Golders Green Stabbing Within 90 Seconds

Volunteer first-responders from the Shomrim neighbourhood watch were widely praised after rushing to a morning stabbing in Golders Green, north-west London, where two Jewish men were injured and a suspect was arrested.

Who Are Shomrim?

The London NW Shomrim is a non-profit neighbourhood watch of about 60 unpaid volunteers, formed in 2008 to bolster local security following a string of thefts and break-ins. The group was modelled on the original Shomrim — Hebrew for 'Guardians' — which began in New York in the 1970s. A separate Shomrim group also operates in Stamford Hill and other parts of north-east London, with roughly 40 members.

What They Do

The organisation says its team is made up of volunteer responders and telephone operators drawn from the local community, 'regardless of ethnicity or religious affiliation'. It runs a 24-hour emergency hotline so teams can be dispatched immediately to reported incidents. Volunteers patrol unarmed on foot and by car; they are funded by donations and complete Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism training.

According to Shomrim, their primary aim at a reported crime scene is to bridge the gap between when police are called and when officers arrive: following suspects where it is safe to do so, preserving evidence and securing the scene until the police take over.

Response And Official Reaction

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as 'utterly appalling' and said: 'Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain. Thank you to Shomrim, Hatzola and the police for acting swiftly.'

Mayor Sadiq Khan hailed the 'heroic volunteers for their response' and warned that 'There must be absolutely no place for antisemitism in society.' He added that London's Jewish community has faced a series of shocking antisemitic attacks.

Steven Bak, who helped found the London NW group 17 years ago, said volunteers were on scene within 90 seconds of receiving the call. He praised the group's work but urged greater government support: 'As an organisation, we're doing our part to protect the community. We need the government to do their part also.'

At A Glance

• Two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green; a suspect was arrested by police.
• Shomrim volunteers responded rapidly, arriving on scene within 90 seconds and assisting until police and ambulance teams took over.
• The group operates a 24-hour hotline, is funded by donations and provides trained, unarmed assistance to support policing efforts.

The incident underlines the role of community-led organisations in public safety while highlighting calls for stronger, coordinated support from statutory authorities.