British authorities are investigating a suspected hate crime after four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity were set on fire in London on Monday morning, according to reports. The Metropolitan Police responded to reports of a fire in Golders Green, a neighborhood with a large Jewish community, where they found four Hatzalah ambulances belonging to the Jewish Community Ambulance service engulfed in flames.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the incident as a "deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack" in a post on social media platform X. "My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news," he wrote.
My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news
Multiple gas cylinders on the vehicles reportedly exploded during the fire, causing windows to break in an adjacent apartment block. Nearby homes were evacuated as a precautionary measure, though no injuries were reported.
Superintendent Sarah Jackson of the Metropolitan Police stated that investigators are examining CCTV footage and believe they are looking for three suspects at this early stage. No arrests have been made.
not only a criminal act of arson, but a targeted and deeply concerning incident affecting a vital emergency service serving the local Jewish community
The nonprofit organization Shomrim, which operates a neighborhood watch in the area, condemned the attack as "not only a criminal act of arson, but a targeted and deeply concerning incident affecting a vital emergency service serving the local Jewish community." The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity monitoring antisemitism in the UK, said it was assisting police with their enquiries.
Hatzalah, established in 1979 and operated by volunteers, provides free medical transportation and emergency response to residents of north London.