Four members of the Shomrim Jewish security team have been praised by police after they disarmed a man wielding an eight-inch long blade at the height of this year’s Purim celebrations.

The man, 21-year-old Nyron Valentine Crichlow, had threatened a 12-year-old girl, an old man, and had pursued a woman in Bell Lane, Hendon, on the afternoon of February 28, Wood Green Crown Court heard.

Crichlow, of Tyrrel Way, Colindale, north west London, pleaded guilty to affray and possession of an offensive weapon and was jailed for 15 months and nine months, to run concurrently.

The four Shomrim had approached Crichlow and managed to persuade him to put down the knife and then step back from it.

They surrounded him and held him until police from Colindale arrived to take him into custody. Two of the quartet later gave full statements to police.

Barnet borough commander Chief Superintendent Neil Basu praised the Shomrim for their quick and professional response.