Police in London are investigating a deliberate arson attack on four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity as a potential hate crime, with counter-terrorism officers now leading the probe. The vehicles, used by the volunteer emergency service Hatzola, were set on fire early Monday morning in the Golders Green area of north London.
Officers were called to the scene around 1:45 a.m. following reports of the vehicles ablaze outside a local synagogue. Surveillance footage reportedly shows three hooded suspects pouring an accelerant on the ambulances before setting them alight and fleeing. Explosions from oxygen cylinders inside the vehicles caused further damage to nearby residential properties, prompting evacuations, although no injuries have been reported.
The Metropolitan Police described the incident as an antisemitic hate crime. While it has not been formally classified as a terrorist act, investigators from the UK’s counter-terrorism unit are leading the case to bring specialist resources and expertise. Authorities are searching for the suspects and have urged the public to share any information that could assist the investigation.
Political and community leaders condemned the attack. The Prime Minister called it a “deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack,” while local officials and religious figures described it as a cowardly assault on both the Jewish community and essential emergency services.
The government has pledged to fund replacement ambulances and ensure continued emergency coverage in the area. Additional patrols have been deployed around key community sites as police step up security measures, especially with important religious dates approaching.
The attack highlights ongoing concerns about rising antisemitic incidents in the UK and across Europe, emphasizing the challenges of protecting vulnerable communities and emergency services from hate-motivated violence.
