A man has admitted having a knife and affray in an incident that caused “significant concern” to the Jewish community.

Gabriel Abdullah, 34, pleaded guilty to affray and possession of a knife after the incident outside a kosher shop in Hamilton Road, Golders Green, on January 29.

Police were called to reports of a man with a knife in the street just before 1.30pm that afternoon.

Within minutes of arriving, officers were able to arrest Abdullah, of Hamilton Road, before taking him to a north London police station.

There were no reports of any injuries during the incident, but a knife was recovered at the scene.

The Metropolitan Police had previously said that they were treating the incident as a hate-crime, but that it was not terror-related .

Chief Superintendent Sara Leach, who is responsible for policing in north-west London, said: "This incident in Golders Green understandably caused significant concern for our Jewish communities and I hope that today’s conviction clearly demonstrates how seriously this incident was taken.

“The conviction is largely due to the fast response of officers, who had Abdullah in handcuffs within minutes of police being called, the bravery of volunteers from Shomrim and members of the public who intervened before police arrived, and the overwhelming case evidence compiled against Abdullah that resulted in him pleading guilty.”

Abdullah pleaded guilty at Harrow Crown Court last Tuesday (February 27) and has been remanded in custody.

He will appear for sentencing at the same court on May 8.