Four ambulances belonging to the Jewish community in north London have been set on fire in what is being treated as an “antisemitic hate crime”.
Metropolitan Police officers were called to Highfield Road, Golders Green around 1.45am on Monday after receiving reports of a fire.
The vehicles form part of of Hatzola Northwest’s fleet, a volunteer-run Jewish emergency service.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said no injuries had been reported and declared under control at 3.06am.
In a post on X, Sir Keir Starmer said: “This is a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack. My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news. Antisemitism has no place in our society. Anyone with any information must come forward to the police.”
A number of explosions heard in the area are believed to be linked to gas canisters on board, with nearby homes evacuated as a precaution and road closures remain in place.
There have been no arrests with anyone with information urged to come forward.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said in a statement on X: “The deliberate arson attacks against Hatzola ambulances in London are a particularly sickening assault – not only on the Jewish community, but on the values we share as a society.
“Our Hatzola volunteer ambulance corps is an extraordinary service, whose sole mission is to protect life, Jewish and non-Jewish alike.
“The targeting of Hatzola by people so committed to terror, hatred and the desecration of life is a most painful illustration of the ongoing battle between those who sanctify life and those who seek to destroy it.
“At a time when Jewish communities around the world are facing a growing pattern of these violent attacks, we will meet this moment with shared resolve and stand together against hatred and intimidation.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said in a post on X: “This is a sickening attack on Jewish ambulances. Thank goodness there appear to be no injuries.
“Anyone with information should come forward to the Police. We must stand together against antisemitic hatred.”
Shomrim, a non-profit organisation which operates a neighbourhood watch in the Golders Green neighbourhood, said it was “aware of loud explosions” early on Monday morning.
“Emergency services are on scene following a deliberate incident involving #Hatzola ambulances being set alight,” the group said in a post on X.
“The explosions were caused by oxygen tanks not a bomb or explosive device. Although some buildings have been evacuated no casualties have been reported.
Shomrim said Northwest London facility run by fellow Jewish charity Hatzola remained fully operational.
Hatzola, which was established in 1979 and is run by volunteers, provides free medical transportation and emergency response to those living in North London.
The fire brigade said around 40 firefighters were called to the fires and that multiple cylinders on the vehicles had exploded, causing windows to break in nearby flats.
Golders Green ward councillor Dean Cohen, who was at the scene, told Jewish News the fact the incident was taking place in the “car park of a synagogue is particularly chilling and will send shockwaves through our community at a time of already heightened fears over antisemitism in the UK”.
He said: “It’s beyond time for the authorities to wake and do more to tackle this hate running riot.”
Community Security Trust (CST), a charity which monitors antisemitism in the UK, confirmed in a statement on X that it was assisting police in their enquiries.
The statement said: “We are aware of multiple Hatzola ambulances that have been deliberately set alight in London.
“This has obvious comparison to similar antisemitic arson attacks recently in Belgium and the Netherlands.
“No injuries have been reported at this time and we are helping @MPSBarnet with their enquiries.”
Local resident and councillor Shimon Ryde told the BBC: “It’s very shocking, it’s not unexpected.
“The Jewish community is very aware of the danger we live in.”
Superintendent Sarah Jackson, who leads policing in the local area, said: “We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern and officers remain on scene to carry out urgent enquiries.
“We are in the process of examining CCTV and are aware of online footage. We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage.
“There have been no arrests yet, and we would urge anyone with information to please contact us as soon as possible – you can do so anonymously if you wish.
“We will be engaging with faith leaders and carrying out additional patrols in the local area as we continue our investigation to provide reassurance and a highly visible presence.”
This is a breaking news story, more to follow…
