Two men have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after four ambulances run by a Jewish charity were destroyed by firebombing.
Police arrested the men, aged 45 and 47, this morning after the attack on Monday morning in which four Hatzola Northwest ambulances in north London were set ablaze.
The London Fire Brigade called police at about 1.45am that morning to the scene of the fire next to a synagogue, an incident being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.
CCTV footage revealed three men dousing the ambulances in fluid before igniting and fleeing the scene.
The suspects, arrested at addresses in central and north west London respectively, remain in custody while police search the properties they were found at.
Helen Flanagan, head of counter terrorism policing London and investigation lead, said: “We have been working around the clock since this appalling attack took place and this has led to these arrests.
“This appears to be an important breakthrough in the investigation.”
Luke Williams, north west London police lead, sought to reassure the Golders Green community amid a period of “heightened” concern.
Williams said: “I want to reassure the community that an enhanced, bespoke policing plan and activity, which is particularly focused around vulnerable areas right across London, will continue over the coming days and weeks.”
The police lead added that specialist officers and armed patrols would support local teams.
“We will also continue to work closely with local communities and our partners to listen to their concerns,” he added.
Donations pour in for £5m fundraiser
Volunteer-run Hatzola was established in 1979 and provides free medical transport and emergency response for people in north London.
Following the attack, the charity began “urgently” fundraising for new, safer premises for its ambulances, with an aim to raise £5m.
“We need the security to carry out our vital work. It’s no longer a far-off dream or a luxury extra. Having a dedicated, secure base for Hatzola NW ambulances is an immediate priority for our community,” its fundraising page reads.
“We’re coming together now to quickly make this our reality – a secure site where our ambulances can be housed safely, and where volunteers can dispatch and respond without fear of vandalism – or worse.”
Donations have poured into Hatzola’s fundraiser, which now exceeds £1.72m, including a £200,000 gift from the Ronson Foundation, a family-run grantmaking trust.
Health secretary Wes Streeting yesterday announced the government would provide replacement ambulances to Hatzola.
He reiterated on social media today that the government has provided the charity with four on-loan ambulances and will fund permanent replacements.
The Charity Commission has also offered the charity its support.
Following the firebombing, antisemitism monitoring charity the Community Security Trust invited King Charles to become its patron, a request he accepted.
