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Anti-terror police are investigating an arson attack on four Jewish community ambulances in North London, as ITV News’ Rachel Younger reports
Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into an arson attack on four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community charity in north London.
The incident in Golders Green is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime by the Metropolitan Police and has not been declared a terrorist incident, the force said.
Police have since set up an online portal for members of the public to share any video footage they have before, during or after the incident.
There were no injuries reported in the attack on the Jewish community ambulance service, Hatzola, in Highfield Road, at around 1.45am, and no arrests have yet been made.
Multiple cylinders on the vehicles had exploded during the fire, causing windows to break in an adjacent block of flats.
Police will be engaging with faith leaders and carrying out additional patrols in the area while the investigation continues, Superintendent Sarah Jackson said.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis tells ITV News that the attack was by those “who seek to destroy life”
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described the attack as “particularly sickening”.
He told ITV News: “To attack ambulances which exist for the sake of helping people to be well and preserving life.
“Here we are seeing displayed before our eyes the forces of those who seek to destroy life as opposed to those who are here to protect life.”
Hatzola is a non-profit, volunteer organisation that provides hospital transportation and emergency care to the local community, regardless of religion.
CCTV shows three people in hoods pouring accelerant on the vehicles. Credit: Jewish Community Council
Speaking near the scene on Monday, Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing for the area, said investigators are aware of a group apparently claiming responsibility for the attack online, but have not yet verified whether this is true.
A video has allegedly been posted on Telegram by an Islamist group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, showing a map of the location where the ambulances were kept and footage of them on fire.
CCTV shows three people in hoods pouring accelerant on the vehicles, which belong to the Jewish community ambulance service, Hatzola, before setting them on fire and running away.
The service is a short walk from the North Western Reform Synagogue (Alyth), which marked its 90th anniversary in 2023.
Police officers search on Brookside Road at the junction with Russell Gardens near to the scene in Highfield Road. Credit: PA
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Health Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed the London Ambulance Service will provide additional support in Golders Green, and that the government will fund replacement ambulances after the “appalling” attack.
“This is a horrific antisemitic attack, and of course, my thoughts, I think all our thoughts, will be with those in the vicinity; the residents who are understandably very concerned, the Jewish community across the country, deeply concerned,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday.
The PM said he had already been in touch with community leaders on Monday morning and would continue to be for the rest of the day.
“Antisemitism has no place in our society and it’s really important that we all stand together in a moment like this,” Starmer said.
Shomrim, a non-profit organisation which operates a neighbourhood watch in the area, condemned the attack on social media.
“This was not only a criminal act of arson, but a targeted and deeply concerning incident affecting a vital emergency service serving the local Jewish community,” it said in a post on X.
Shomrim said the north-west London facility run by fellow Jewish charity Hatzola remained fully operational.
Damon Hoff, president of Machzike Hadath Synagogue, where the ambulances were parked, said the community was feeling vulnerable.
He said: “When you attack a place of worship, and you attack ambulances, you’re going for the very heart and core of what’s decent about this country, and there must be outrage for that.
“The political establishment needs to know that there are many decent Britons that are going to feel vulnerable. In a time like this, this is, you need the very best of humanity.
“The community is feeling vulnerable and feeling frightened, but we’re not going to let that get us down.”
Responding to the attack, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “What kind of person targets Hatzola, a volunteer-run ambulance service?
“Just last week in Golders Green, members of the Jewish community told me how they live in fear of constant attacks.
“The police must find those responsible. A hatred of Jews is growing in our country, and all of us need to make it clear in our words and actions that Britain will not tolerate antisemitism.”
Firefighters tackling a blaze at Highfield Road, Golders Green. Credit: Heidi Danciger/PA Wire
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said it was a “cowardly attack on the Jewish community” and insisted “Londoners will never be cowed by this kind of hatred and intimidation”.
Speaking to people at the site of the attack, Reform’s candidate for mayor of London, Laila Cunningham, said: “Every Jewish person should be terrified, but so should every Londoner.
“If we don’t protect every single community and we allow the glorification of any kind of intimidation of any group, in particular, now the Jewish group, then our streets belong to extremists, and no longer belong to us.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury condemned the “appalling antisemitic attack”, while the British Medical Association (BMA) criticised “deliberate attacks on healthcare services” as “reprehensible”.
The number of antisemitic incidents reported across the UK has risen since late 2023, according to the Community Security Trust, which works to protect the Jewish community, with 3,700 recorded in 2025, up from 1,662 in 2022.
Anyone with any video or audio footage that may be useful to the investigation is asked to send it to www.ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk
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