Three more people have been arrested by counter-terrorism police following an ‘anti-semitic’ firebombing of a volunteer ambulance service in north London.
Four volunteer ambulances belonging to Jewish organisation Hatzola were set on fire outside a synagogue in Golders Green on the morning of March 23.
The Metropolitan Police says the incident was not ‘at this stage’ declared as terrorism – but circumstances meant counter terror detectives were leading the probe.
Two men arrested in the following days in connection were later that week released on bail.
The Metropolitan Police has today said a further three people have been detained – men aged 17, 19 and 20.
The two older men are British nationals and the younger teenager is a dual British and Pakistani national.
The previous arrests last month were of British nationals aged 47 and 45, held by counter terrorism detectives at addresses in north west London and central London.
The Metropolitan Police said the pair were detained on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
The vehicles set ablaze in Golders Green on March 23 belonged to Jewish organisation Hatzola
Three of the community ambulances were left in pieces and burned out after fires triggered explosions inside the vehicles – five people have now been arrested in connection
Scotland Yard today said the three new arrests were on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.
The suspects were taken to a London police station where they remained in custody.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London which is leading the investigation, said: ‘Since this appalling attack last week, we have been working continuously to investigate and identify those responsible.
‘We know concern among the Jewish community remains high, but I hope these arrests show that we are doing everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.
‘As I’ve said previously, the support we had from the local community since this attack took place has been incredible, and we will continue to work closely with local policing colleagues to do everything we can to keep the public safe.’
Six fire engines and 40 firefighters rushed to Highfield Road, near the Mchzike Hadath synagogue in Golders Green, at about 1.45am on March 23 to put out the flames. No one was injured.
CCTV footage showed three hooded figures apparently pouring accelerant on the ambulances and setting them on fire.
The head of the Met said after the attack that the force was investigating whether an Islamist group with possible Iranian state links was behind the arson.
Three hooded suspects were seen approaching the vehicles before they were set alight
Aerial footage shows the aftermath of the blaze in Golders Green, north London
Investigators were looking into claims by a suspected Iran-backed group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia that it had been behind the attack.
A video was posted on Telegram featuring a map of the location where the ambulances were kept and footage on them on fire.
Gas canisters kept in the ambulances exploded after they were set alight, with nearby homes evacuated as a precaution.
The force of the blasts, believed to involve gas canisters aboard the Hatzola ambulances, caused windows to break in a nearby block of flats.
The synagogue, which is one of the oldest in Europe, has its roof damaged and stained glass windows smashed in the fire.
The volunteer-run Jewish organisation Hatzola, founded in 1979, provides free emergency medical response and transportation to hospitals.
In the wake of the arson, the Met deployed an additional 264 officers as well as specialist teams including firearms, the mounted branch and drones, to boost security for Jewish communities in the run up to Passover.
Condemning the ‘deeply shocking’ attack, Sir Keir Starmer said in the aftermath: ‘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.’
Gideon Falter, chief executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: ‘We are absolutely heartbroken that this is how low Britain has sunk. This horrific act truly plumbs new depths.’
Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced that the four ambulances would be replaced by vehicles from the London Ambulance Service.
Det Chief Supt Luke Williams, who leads policing in North West London said today: ‘We know local community concern continues to remain high – particularly for our Jewish communities as they now enter the Passover festival period.
‘Since the arson attack, we have put in place an enhanced, bespoke policing plan, which has been focused around vulnerable areas not only in Golders Green, but right across London.
‘This has involved a significant number of officers on the ground, with the aim of protecting communities, disrupting offenders, and detecting crime.
‘This activity is ongoing and will continue over the coming days and weeks and includes specialist officers and capability being deployed alongside local officers.
‘It is also being supported by highly visible armed police patrols to serve as a deterrent to anyone seeking to cause our communities harm.’
He described these as ‘precautionary measures and not in response to any specific threat’, adding: ‘We continue to work alongside our colleagues in Counter Terrorism Policing to support their investigation.
‘We will also continue to work closely with local communities and our partners to listen to their concerns and respond to these.’
