Four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community ambulance service have been set on fire and destroyed in London in what police say is an antisemitic hate crime.
The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the incident which occurred in Golders Green, a largely Jewish neighbourhood, in the early hours of Monday morning, local time.
Explosions were heard in the area around the Machzike Hadath synagogue, and police say that was due to gas canisters onboard the Hatzola Northwest ambulances.
The ambulances belong to Jewish community organisation Hatzola. (Reuters: Isabel Infantes)
The London fire service said those explosions “caused windows to break in an adjacent block of flats”.
Houses in the nearby area were evacuated, but police have confirmed the fires were put out, and no injuries were reported.
Four ambulances were damaged in the attack, according to the London Fire Brigade.
Footage posted on social media appears to show three hooded people pouring gasoline on the vehicles before leaving the scene.
The incident occurred in Golders Green, a largely Jewish neighbourhood in London. (Suplied: X/TheLukeReport)
Shortly after, the ambulances catch alight, and a plume of smoke can be seen across the city.
“We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern, and officers remain on scene to carry out urgent enquiries,” Superintendent Sarah Jackson said.
“We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage,” she added, confirming there had been no arrests.
“We will be engaging with faith leaders and carrying out additional patrols in the local area as we continue our investigation to provide reassurance and a highly visible presence.”
Police are treating the incident as an antisemitic attack. (AP: Alberto Pezzali)
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the attack “deeply shocking” and urged anyone with information to come forward.
“My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news,” Sir Keir said in a post on X.
“Antisemitism has no place in our society.”
A firefighter and a police officer look at a burnt ambulance in Golders Green after the apparent arson attack. (AP: Alberto Pezzali)
Peter Zinkin, who represents Golders Green on the local council, said he felt “shock and horror, as you would expect”.
“But the second response is a deep and overwhelming sadness that this has happened,” he added.
Shomrim, a non-profit organisation which operates a neighbourhood watch in the area, condemned the attack in a post on X as a “deeply concerning incident affecting a vital emergency service serving the local Jewish community”.
Reuters/AP