Two men arrested by counter-terror police over 'antisemitic arson attack' in Golders Green that saw volunteer ambulances firebombed
Two British men have been arrested over an 'antisemitic arson attack' in Golders Green that saw volunteer ambulances firebombed. Six fire engines and 40 firefighters rushed to Highfield Road, near the Machzike Hadath synagogue in Golders Green, at around 1.45am on Monday to put out the flames. No one was injured.Scotland Yard said that two men, aged 47 and 45, both British nationals, had been arrested by counter-terror detectives this morning at addresses in north west London on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. They are currently being held in custody at a police station in London where they will be quizzed. The four ambulances set ablaze were provided by the volunteer-run Jewish organisation Hatzola, which provides free emergency medical response and transportation to hospitals. The Metropolitan Police is believed to be hunting for a third suspect and has vowed 'to identify and seek to arrest all of those who may have been involved'. Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation, said: 'We have been working around the clock since this appalling attack took place and this has led to these arrests being made this morning.'This appears to be an important breakthrough in the investigation, but we're also mindful that CCTV footage of the incident suggests there were at least three people involved. Four ambulances were set on fire in the Jewish community of Golders Green in London on Monday Chilling footage showed three hooded figures pouring accelerant on the vehicle'We fully recognise the local community will still be concerned and our investigation very much remains active and we will continue to work to identify and seek to arrest all of those who may have been involved.'I'd like to thank the public and particularly the local Jewish community in the area for their continued support and reiterate our appeal to anyone who might have information that could assist with the investigation to get in touch with us.'An Islamist militant group linked to Iran has claimed responsibility for the attack, along with a string of other firebombings across Europe.But security experts have said there is no evidence to verify the claim by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia.The Met Police told the Daily Mail today that establishing any potential motivation behind the attack is part of its ongoing investigation.But a spokesman for the force said it would not be commenting further at the current time when asked if detectives were still trying to verify whether Ashab al-Yamin was behind the attack. The force of the blasts, believed to be gas canisters onboard the Hatzola ambulances, caused windows to break in a nearby block of flats. Residents were evacuated as a precaution, but no one was hurt in the attack on the service established in 1979 to provide free medical transport and emergency response to those living in north London. The synagogue, which is one of the oldest in Europe, had its roof damaged and stained glass windows smashed in the fire. Sir Keir Starmer condemned the 'deeply shocking' attack and said earlier this week that his 'thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news'. 'Antisemitism has no place in our society. Anyone with any information must come forward to the police,' the PM said. Gideon Falter, chief executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: 'We are absolutely heartbroken that this is how low Britain has sunk. This horrific act truly plumbs new depths.' Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in North West London, said an 'enhanced, bespoke policing plan and activity' would continue in 'vulnerable areas' across London in the coming days and weeks. Three of the community ambulances were left in pieces and burned out after fires triggered explosions inside the vehicles'This includes specialist officers and capability being deployed alongside local officers to help protect certain locations and will also involve highly visible armed police patrols to serve as a deterrent to anyone seeking to cause our communities harm,' DCS Williams said. 'I must stress that these are precautionary and not in response to any specific threat, and we continue to work alongside our colleagues in Counter Terrorism policing to support their investigation.'We will also continue to work closely with local communities and our partners to listen to their concerns and respond to these.'The Met has stepped up firearms patrols to protect the Jewish community, sending an additional 264 officers to work alongside existing neighbourhood police deployed to 'vulnerable locations'.The force will also be utilising drones, and Scotland Yard chief Sir Mark Rowley has announced a strengthened protective security plan for Jewish schools, synagogues and community centres ahead of Passover.The Government has pledged to fund replacements for the ambulances as well as immediate health support. King Charles this week became a patron of Jewish charity The Community Security Trust (CST) in the wake of the firebomb attack. The charity monitors antisemitism and provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK. Speaking at the annual CST dinner on Monday night, Sir Mark warned the 'rapid growth in recent years of Iranian state threats is grave', but it was 'too early' to attribute the attack to the Iranian state.He said: 'Britain's Jewish community has in recent years been increasingly targeted by individuals, groups and hostile states, intent on spreading fear, hate and harm. This volatile mix is at the front of my mind given events of today.''The rapid growth in recent years of Iranian state threats is grave: hostile state surveillance activity, 20 disrupted plots and recent attempted attacks on the Iranian diaspora. None of this is isolated – it is part of a rapidly shifting threat landscape.'It is too early for me to attribute the attack in Golders Green to the Iranian state – that is rightly for the counter-terrorism investigation to determine – but whoever was responsible, the impact is serious.'He continued: 'We are pursuing all lines of enquiry, including an online claim of responsibility by an Islamist group who have claimed other attacks across Europe and have potential Iranian state links.'
