'We were first on scene' The Jewish security volunteers who rushed to help

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. The Jewish security volunteers first on scene of Golders Green attack 9 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Thomas Mackintosh and Lucy Manning , special correspondent Ben Grossnass (left) and Steven Bak from Shomrim "We got a phone call to the hotline saying that there's a man stabbing people and we sent our members to the scene. " It was not yet known at the time on Wednesday morning, but a volunteer of the Jewish security group Shomrim was dispatching their members to what would later be formally declared a terrorist incident by the Metropolitan Police. Two Jewish men, aged 34 and 76, were stabbed while in Golders Green, north London.

Both are in a stable condition, but the attacks came after a spate of arson attacks against Jewish property in London in recent weeks. "We were first on scene, and we apprehended him together with the police," Ben Grossnass from the organisation adds. Shomrim carries out civilian security patrols through Jewish communities in north London.

The Details

It has 40 volunteers who are on call 24/7, and who actively work with local people to prevent crime and increase safety by working with police and other agencies, according to its website. Shomrin volunteer Yonathan Elkouby, 33, told PA Media he drove to the scene from his nearby job after hearing about the incident and blocked the suspect with his car - helping police officers detain him. "At that moment, I had no idea that two people had been stabbed, all I knew was the guy had a knife.

"Afterwards when I think about it, it was quite traumatising, because I was thinking the guy did come towards me, he was going towards the police, to all the people around him. " Elkouby said he held the attacker's legs and one of his hands while the man was on the ground, after police officers had Tasered him. Police declare terrorist incident after two Jewish men stabbed in London What we know about the Golders Green stabbings Set up in 2008, Shomrim is a group of just under 50 volunteers that aims to make people feel more secure in areas of north London with large Jewish populations.

But, despite ongoing efforts, Grossmann told the that the Jewish community had been dealing with a spate of arson attacks - including a few weeks ago when Hatzola ambulances, run by a Jewish medical charity, were destroyed . "We haven't got over yet from the previous incident, and this has happened, and we've had small incidents in the past three, four weeks, also targeted at synagogues and community centres," he added. "It's just one after another and we just crying out to the government to listen to us, feel the pain of the community.

"How much more can we take? We're still in shock from the previous instance and this one happened. "The government do have the resources to assist, we would very much welcome that rather than the words which unfortunately is not good enough at this time.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.