We hope he will be home in time for Shabbat, victim's mother says

The mother of one of two Jewish men stabbed in Golders Green has told the BBC she hopes he is home in time for Shabbat, the weekly Jewish day of rest that starts on Friday evening.

Shloime Rand, 34, was attacked along with 76-year-old Moshe Shine shortly after the men had left Hagers Shul synagogue in north-west London.

Rand's mother, who has asked not to be identified, said her son was in a stable condition in hospital, adding that she was "horrified these things could happen in the streets of London".

The other victim, Shine, was said to have been more seriously injured. A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

Rabbi Levi Schapiro, from the Jewish Community Council, visited both of the men in hospital on Wednesday, where they are in stable condition.

He said Shine's injuries were more serious but doctors were "optimistic" that he would make a full recovery, adding "it may be a longer one".

Rand is understood to live in Stamford Hill, north London.

His mother told the BBC: "He's in a stable condition. As a mother, I'm pretty horrified that these things could happen in the streets of London, in an innocent community where we try our best not to hurt anyone.

"Shloime was walking on the street minding his own business. I was able to see him yesterday. Thank God, he was conscious the whole time."

Rabbi Schapiro added: "He's a living miracle. He could easily have died because of where his wounds were."

A friend who gave their name as Eli V, 42, described Rand as a "terrific guy".

Another friend, who asked not to be identified, told the BBC Rand was on his way to work after morning prayers when he was attacked.

"He's a sincere, quiet gentleman. A very intelligent guy," they said.

A man who said he knew Shine said the 76-year-old lives in Hendon and is originally from the Jewish community in Prestwich, Greater Manchester.

He described Shine as "a very nice, quiet, honest person" who is "scholarly, studies a lot".

CCTV footage captured on Wednesday morning showed the suspect appearing to attacking the two men within minutes of each other in Golders Green.

The police later detained the man, who was initially taken to hospital before being discharged and taken to a London police station, where he remains in custody.

Police said he was a British national who was born in Somalia. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said he came to the UK lawfully as a child.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed to the BBC that he was referred to the government's counter-terrorism Prevent programme in 2020. A spokesman said the referral was closed that same year.

The attack has been declared a terrorist incident by police.