Four ambulances belonging to the Jewish volunteer ambulance service Hatzola were firebombed in Golders Green, north London, in the early hours of Monday. The incident occurred around 1:45am on Monday on Highfield Road in Golders Green. Police are investigating the incident as an antisemitic hate crime, with counter-terrorism officers leading the investigation, though it has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage.
Three masked suspects were caught on CCTV setting the ambulances alight and fleeing the scene, according to multiple reports. Police are looking for three suspects based on early-stage investigations, the Metropolitan Police said. Explosions were reported, believed to be linked to gas canisters on board the ambulances, the Metropolitan Police stated. However, the Jewish neighborhood watch group Shomrim reported that explosions were caused by oxygen tanks on the ambulances, not a bomb. The London Fire Brigade extinguished the blaze, declaring it under control at 3:06am. About 40 firefighters responded to the incident, the London Fire Brigade said. Explosions caused window damage in nearby flats, according to the London Fire Brigade. No injuries were reported from the fire, and nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.
Too little has been done.
An Iran-linked terror group, Ashab al-Yamin, claimed responsibility for the attack in an unverified video posted on Telegram. Intelligence chiefs and detectives are investigating possible Iranian involvement but have not confirmed it, according to intelligence sources. The identities and motives of the three masked suspects seen on CCTV remain unknown, and whether the claim of responsibility by Ashab al-Yamin is credible and verified has not been determined. The extent of Iranian involvement, if any, in planning or supporting the attack is also unclear.
No arrests have been made, the Metropolitan Police confirmed. The Metropolitan Police will boost armed patrols to protect Jewish families ahead of Passover, according to police sources. The investigation is ongoing, with detectives reviewing CCTV footage and forensic evidence from the scene. Police are also examining the unverified claim by Ashab al-Yamin and assessing any potential links to international terrorism.
Failure.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to replace the destroyed ambulances and increase police patrols in Jewish communities. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated 'too little has been done' in response to the attack. Reform UK's Laila Cunningham called the government's response a 'failure'. The total cost of damage to the ambulances and nearby property has not been disclosed, and it is unknown whether any specific threats or warnings preceded the attack. Political leaders have emphasized the need for swift action to address rising antisemitism and ensure community safety.
The Northwest London Hatzola facility remains operational, Shomrim reported. The Community Security Trust (CST) is assisting police and drew comparisons to similar antisemitic arson attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands, according to the Community Security Trust. Reform UK mayoral candidate Chris Parry described Jewish neighborhood watch group Shomrim as 'cosplayers' and likened them to 'Islamists on horseback' after the attack, drawing criticism, multiple reports indicate. The incident has heightened concerns about antisemitism in the UK, with community leaders calling for enhanced security measures. The CST noted that such attacks echo patterns seen in other European countries, underscoring the need for vigilance and coordinated efforts to combat hate crimes.