Met Chief Slams Green Politician Over Golders Green Attack Criticism

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has publicly defended his officers' actions in subduing a knife attacker in Golders Green, directly challenging Green Party leader Zack Polanski. Sir Mark wrote to Polanski, expressing his “disappointment” that the politician had amplified “inaccurate and misinformed commentary” regarding the officers’ use of force. Two officers Tasered and repeatedly kicked the suspect in the head to prise a knife from his hand after he had stabbed two Jewish men.

The controversy erupted after Polanski reposted an X message claiming officers were “repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head when he was already incapacitated by Taser.” This criticism came after a video circulated on social media showing the arrest. The Met released body-worn camera footage where officers can be heard shouting “get down on the ground” and “drop the knife” before and after the Taser deployment.

Sir Mark stated that officers were not armed and feared the suspect carried an explosive device. Even after being Tasered, the suspect “refused to show his hands, was violent and continued to pose a clear threat.” The Commissioner dismissed the original post's author as likely an “armchair critic,” adding, “Those officers are nothing short of extraordinary. They were on the scene within a few minutes, and their actions undoubtedly prevented further injury and saved lives.” He stressed that “apprehending violent and dangerous criminals is a full contact and messy task which may appear shocking to observers with little experience of policing in the real world.”

For ordinary Londoners, this incident highlights the immediate dangers faced by police and the difficult decisions made under pressure. Sir Mark’s defence underscores that officers need support when acting decisively to protect the public. The alternative is a police force hesitant to intervene effectively, leaving citizens vulnerable to violent criminals. The Met has formally declared the attack a terrorist incident, with the suspect, Essa Suleiman, 45, remaining in police custody on suspicion of attempting to murder Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76.

Polanski's actions drew further condemnation from Liberal Democrat spokesperson Luke Taylor MP, who described his decision to repost the comment as “utterly disgraceful.” Taylor added, “That ludicrous response and his comments on ‘perception of fear’ in the Jewish community tells us a lot about the Green Party’s values.” This criticism stands in contrast to Polanski’s earlier statement describing the attack as “horrendous” and expressing thoughts for “the victims, their families and everyone who will once again be shaken by this attack.” The Green Party spokesperson acknowledged Polanski “doesn’t know the full picture” but suggested a need to “understand more about the response,” a position that appears to contradict the Commissioner's clear statement of facts.

The suspect, Essa Suleiman, has a history of serious violence and mental health issues and is believed to be linked to a separate incident in south-east London. The investigation into the Golders Green attack continues, with the focus now on the legal process against Suleiman and the ongoing debate about appropriate police responses to extreme violence.