Met Commissioner Defends Officers’ Force in Golders Green Terror Attack

TL;DR: Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley praised the officers who subdued the Golders Green knife attacker, calling their use of force reasonable and confirming the incident as a terrorist attack.

Context On Wednesday, a man stabbed two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, before being tackled by police. The incident sparked criticism after Green Party leader Zack Polanski shared a post describing the officers’ actions as “violent” toward a mentally ill suspect.

Key Facts Sir Mark Rowley wrote to Polanski, saying he was disappointed the politician amplified “inaccurate and misinformed commentary.” Rowley told BBC Breakfast that the “extreme force” used was “completely reasonable.” The officers, unarmed, first ordered the suspect to drop the knife and get on the ground. When he refused, they deployed a Taser and, while wresting the weapon, kicked him in the head. Body‑camera footage shows the commands and the struggle.

The suspect, Essa Suleiman, 45, has been charged with attempted murder and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning. The Met has declared the attack a terrorist incident, noting Suleiman’s history of serious violence and mental‑health issues and a possible link to a separate assault in south‑east London.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened a mandatory referral to investigate injuries the suspect sustained during the arrest. Police maintain that the suspect appeared to be carrying an explosive device, heightening the perceived threat.

Political reactions varied. Green Party officials said Polanski had not seen the full picture, while Liberal Democrat MP Luke Taylor called the repost “utterly disgraceful.” Dame Louise Ellman described Rowley’s defence as “highly unusual.”

What It Means Rowley’s firm backing signals that the Met will continue to support officers who use decisive force in high‑risk terrorist scenarios. The upcoming court hearing and the police conduct inquiry will test how the force’s actions are judged legally and publicly. Watch for the magistrates’ decision on the attempted‑murder charge and any findings from the Independent Office for Police Conduct.