Four ambulances belonging to London Jewish group burned in fire
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident is being treated as an anti‑Semitic hate crime, and the London Fire Brigade said there were no reported injuries.
Police have launched an investigation into an anti‑Semitic hate crime after four ambulances operated by the Jewish Community Ambulance service were apparently set alight in London, the Metropolitan Police said.
Officers were dispatched to Highfield Road in Golders Green at about 1.45am today following reports of a fire, the force added.
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The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident is being treated as an anti‑Semitic hate crime, and the London Fire Brigade said there were no reported injuries.
Superintendent Sarah Jackson, who leads policing in the local area, said: “We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern and officers remain on scene to carry out urgent enquiries.
“There have been no arrests yet, and we would urge anyone with information to please contact us as soon as possible – you can do so anonymously if you wish.
“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 believe the explosions heard at the scene were linked to gas canisters stored on board the ambulances.
Nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution, and road closures in the vicinity remain in force.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attack a “deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack”.
“My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news.
“Anti-Semitism has no place in our society,” he said in a post on X.
An aerial view of the four ambulances that were set on fire overnight in London
Shomrim, the local neighbourhood watch charity in Golders Green, reported being “aware of loud explosions” in the early hours.
“Emergency services are on scene following a deliberate incident involving #Hatzola ambulances being set alight,” the group said in a post on X.
“The explosions were caused by oxygen tanks not a bomb or explosive device. Although some buildings have been evacuated no casualties have been reported.
“Please avoid the area while investigations continue.”
Shomrim added that the Northwest London facility run by fellow Jewish charity Hatzola remained fully operational.
Hatzola, founded in 1979 and staffed by volunteers, provides free medical transport and emergency response services to residents across North London.
The fire brigade said about 40 firefighters attended the scene and that multiple cylinders on the vehicles exploded, shattering windows in nearby flats.
Golders Green ward councillor Dean Cohen, who visited the scene, told Jewish News the fact the arson occurred in a synagogue car park is “particularly chilling and will send shockwaves through our community at a time of already heightened fears over anti-Semitism in the UK”.
He said: “It’s beyond time for the authorities to wake and do more to tackle this hate running riot.”
Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors anti‑Semitism in the UK, said in a statement on X that it was assisting police with enquiries.
The statement said: “We are aware of multiple Hatzola ambulances that have been deliberately set alight in London.
“This has obvious comparison to similar anti-Semitic arson attacks recently in Belgium and the Netherlands.
“No injuries have been reported at this time and we are helping @MPSBarnet with their enquiries.”