Public urged to 'be alert' after terror threat raised to 'severe' - as Iran rejects involvement claims

The public have been told to "be alert, but not alarmed" after the terror threat level was raised to "severe" following the stabbing of two Jewish men in north London.

Counter-terrorism policing chief Laurence Taylor called on people to remain vigilant after what he described as "an elevated threat to Jewish and Israeli individuals and institutions in the UK" after the attack in Golders Green.

Golders Green attack - follow latest

Speaking on Thursday, Mr Taylor said the country had seen a "gradual increase in terrorist threats for some time", which he claims has been "driven by a rise in both Islamist and extreme right-wing terrorism".

The UK's terror threat level has been raised from "substantial" to "severe" for the first time in five years.

A severe threat level – the second highest of five terrorism threat levels – means an attack is considered highly likely in the next six months.

Read more: How the UK's terror threat level works

Police have arrested Essa Suleiman, a 45-year-old British national born in Somalia, on suspicion of attempted murder after two men – Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76 – were taken to hospital with stab wounds in what authorities have declared a terror incident.

Mr Rand told Sky News home editor Jason Farrell the prime minister must "take charge" and do more to keep Jewish communities safe, given the string of attacks in recent months.

Sky News has also learned the Golders Green suspect was jailed over the stabbing of a policeman and his dog in Swindon in 2008.

Iran denies involvement in attacks on British Jews

Iran's embassy in the UK has said it "categorically rejects" allegations Tehran was involved in "violent activities or incidents in the United Kingdom".

In a statement on Thursday, the embassy described such claims as "baseless accusations" that "lack credible evidence and appear to serve narrow political agendas".

It also claimed it had previously raised concerns with UK authorities about possible "false flag" operations – typically defined as an act that can be blamed on an adversary to justify retaliation.

The embassy's remarks follow comments made by Sir Keir Starmer - who was heckled during his visit to Golders Green - insisting that the government needs "stronger powers to tackle the malign threat posed by states like Iran" that want to "harm British Jews".

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Counter-terror police have been looking into the possible involvement of Iranian proxies after a spate of recent attacks on Jewish sites in London, with Mr Taylor claiming officers are working against "threats by state-linked actors".

The incidents include a number of arson attacks appearing to target Jewish buildings and premises, which the Metropolitan Police's deputy assistant commissioner Vicki Evans said have been "similar in nature".

However, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said it was too early to know whether the perpetrator of Wednesday's Golders Green stabbing could have links to Iran.

The Met is also reviewing whether upcoming pro-Palestine marches should be banned. The Stop the War Coalition is planning a major demonstration in London on May 16 to mark Nakba Day, commemorating the 1948 displacement of Palestinians during the creation of Israel.

The group has described attempts to link recent attacks with marches as "false".

(c) Sky News 2026: Public urged to 'be alert' after terror threat raised to 'severe' - as Iran rejects involveme