Golders Green suspect had been referred to government’s counter-extremism programme

The man, who has not been named, is a British citizen who was born in Somalia and came to the UK legally as a child in the early 1990s.

Two Jewish men, 34-year-old Shlomo Rand and 76-year-old Moshe Shine, were attacked in north London on Wednesday – police are treating it as a terrorist incident.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said that the man had a "history of serious violence and mental health issues."

The suspect is being held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, which means he can remain in custody for up to 96 hours if the police are granted permission by a magistrate, though that may not be necessary in this case.

An address in south-east London is being searched.

Speaking to reporters at the scene of the stabbing on Wednesday, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “This is another horrendous act of violence directed at our Jewish communities, which follows the targeted series of arson attacks, and it will rightly shock and anger people across London, in the immediate communities, and across the country.

“My first thoughts are with the two British Jews who were attacked while going about their daily lives, as they should be able to do freely and safely in their own local community.

"A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody. He has a history of serious violence and mental health issues and the investigation is ongoing.”

He added: “Too many Jewish people in this country feel they have to make choices that no Briton should ever have to make, about how they dress, where they go, or how visibly they live their lives. That is completely unacceptable and has gone on for far too long.”