Met officers are increasing patrols around religious venues across north west London to reassure communities following the terror attacks in Israel.

Two people have been arrested in Golders Green in the last week but officers said the crimes are "not linked to the current situation in Israel and Gaza".

The North West Borough Commander Unit (BCU) said additional patrols across Barnet, Brent and Harrow are taking place "to ensure our communities feel safe and secure".

Thousands took to the streets yesterday in solidarity with Palestine and demanding Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian land, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Hamas terrorists mounted an assault on Israeli communities on October 7 killing 1,300 people and taking more than 100 hostage.

The Israeli state government retaliated with an air strike on Gaza, killing and injuring thousands of Palestinians.

More than a million Palestinians have begun a mass exodus from northern Gaza after Israel’s military gave them 24 hours, extended following an international outcry, to evacuate ahead of an expected ground invasion.

Police officers said on social media X, formally Twitter, yesterday (October 14) that recent crimes are not linked to the current situation in Israel and Gaza after a video went viral.

@MPSBarnet said: "Can now confirm the video relates to the arrest of a man for a public order offence at 6.50pm today. He remains in custody.

"He was not in possession of a knife."

They added: "We are aware of a video circulating showing an arrest of a man at the same location and believe this is an incident from 8 Oct."

@BarnetMPS said that officers attempted to speak with a man on Golders Green Road at around 5.30pm last Sunday (Oct 8).

<

 

They added: "As the 37-year-old man ran from police he was seen to be in possession of a knife.

"He was detained nearby and subsequently arrested on suspicion of attempted GBH towards a police officer, possession of an offensive weapon and aggravated burglary."

The man was taken to a north London police station. They said the police officer was "not injured".

They said neither incident on October 8 or October 14 was "linked to the current situation in Israel and Gaza."

"There is no place for hate crime in Barnet," they added.

"We're here and ready to help anyone who has been affected by someone else's prejudice, ignorance or violence.

"If you see anyone acting suspiciously call us on 101 or in an emergency 999."