Toronto police 'maintaining heightened presence' after U.K. increases threat level to severe
The Toronto police service is monitoring the increase in threat level in the U.K. from substantial to severe.
The shift in the U.K. comes after a stabbing attack against two Jewish men in a London neighbourhood, previously reported on by National Post.
Acknowledging the “fear and anxiety here at home” caused by the London attack, Toronto police stated in an X post late Friday that the threat level in Canada “remains at medium” while noting that the service is “maintaining a heightened presence” in the city.
Please see statement below. pic.twitter.com/s6xGXGyvBb
— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) May 1, 2026
The announcement comes hours after police asked for the public’s help to identify a male suspect and vehicle wanted in connection with the March shootings of synagogues in Toronto and Vaughan, Ontario.
After an investigation by police services in both cities, investigators released photos of a male suspect and the vehicle allegedly used in both incidents.
The suspect is described in a statement released on May 1 by police as a male, Black, approximately 6’ to 6’2” tall, with a thin build and black curly hair. The suspect vehicle is described as an older model, black, four-door Honda Civic.
The investigation connected to the photo release stems from two incidents that occurred early in March.
Suspect for Identification in Vaughan and Toronto Synagogue Shootings
— York Regional Police (@YRP) May 1, 2026
- suspect believed to be a youth
- under a judge's order, his picture will be posted until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 4, 2026, at which point it will be removed from circulation
Full details here:… https://t.co/ZWaTDo57KC pic.twitter.com/ui68dBCuBo
On Friday, March 6, just before midnight, sounds of gunshots were reported around Clark Avenue West and York Hill Boulevard in Vaughan. When York Regional Police officers arrived, they found the front doors of a synagogue damaged because of gunfire.
Two people inside the synagogue were not injured.
Then on Saturday, March 7, just after midnight, Toronto Police Service responded to reports of gunshots at the Shaarei Shomayim synagogue in the Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue area. When officers arrived, they also found the front doors damaged by gunfire.
No one was inside at the time of the shooting.
The photos are being made available to the public pursuant to a court order. They will be available through the weekend.
Anyone with information about the suspect and/or vehicle is asked to contact police at 416-808-3500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
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