UK police charge man after stabbings of Jewish men

Protesters gather near Downing Street to rally against anti-Semitism
A string of anti-Semitic attacks in London has sparked fear and anger in the Jewish community. -AP

British police have charged a 45-year-old man with attempted murder following an anti-Semitic attack during which two men were stabbed in north London.

Police say Essa Suleiman faces two counts of the charge related to the attack in Golders Green and a third related to an attack elsewhere in the city the same day.

He is due to make his first court appearance on Friday.

The British government pledged to tackle anti-Semitism after the stabbings in an area in north London that is an epicentre of Britain's Jewish community. 

The victims, aged 34 and 76, were seriously injured. 

One has since been discharged from a hospital and the other is in stable condition.

The stabbings followed a string of arson attacks on synagogues and other Jewish sites in London that have sparked fear and anger.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his government would increase security for the Jewish community and "do everything in our power to stamp this hatred out".

Britain's official terrorism threat level was raised from substantial to severe after Wednesday's stabbing attack. 

Severe is the second-highest rung on a five-point scale and means intelligence agencies consider an attack highly likely in the next six months.