An arson attack on Jewish charity-owned ambulances in north London is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, according to the Metropolitan Police.
The incident occurred in Golders Green, where four Hatzola ambulances were set ablaze in the early hours of Monday, causing several explosions due to gas canisters onboard the vehicles, as reported by the BBC.
No arrests have been made, but CCTV footage appears to show three suspects dressed in black setting fire to an ambulance. Det Ch Supt Luke Williams said the attack had not been declared a terror incident "at this stage".
Police Response
Counter-terror officers are investigating the attack, and the Metropolitan Police has created an online portal for members of the public to share any video footage they have before, during, or after the incident.
Commander Helen Flanagan said: "We've already gathered a large amount of CCTV footage from the local area and taken a number of statements from witnesses."
Official Statements
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged anyone with information to contact police, stating: "There have as yet been no arrests, but the perpetrators must be in no doubt we will pursue them and make them face the consequences of this wicked crime."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that the government will fund the replacement of the four destroyed Hatzola ambulances, saying: "Antisemitism is an old hatred, but it requires constant vigilance to overcome it."
Investigation Underway
The Met Police is investigating an online claim of responsibility from an Iran-aligned group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya - The Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand, but it is too early to attribute the attack to the Iranian state.
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley is expected to say all lines of inquiry are being pursued, including the "online claim of responsibility", while cautioning it was too early to attribute the attack to the Iranian state.
Community Reaction
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan described the overnight arson attack as a "dark day for London", saying: "Jewish Londoners who volunteer to provide a service for all Londoners have been attacked for no other reason than because they are Jewish."
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said the targeting of the volunteer ambulance service was "particularly sickening", adding that their "sole mission is to protect life, Jewish and non-Jewish alike".
