Golders Green: Three people charged over arson attack on Jewish charity ambulances

Three people have been charged over an arson attack on Jewish volunteer ambulances in Golders Green.

Four ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service, were destroyed in the early hours of 23 March in north London.

Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19, both British nationals from Leyton, have been charged with arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

A 17-year-old boy, a dual British and Pakistani national from Walthamstow, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has also been charged with the same offence.

The group, who were all arrested on Wednesday at different locations in east London, are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court later today.

While an investigation was launched by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), the incident has not been declared as terrorism.

When the four ambulances were set on fire, the resulting blaze caused gas canisters stored in the vehicles to explode, and nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.

Local residents describe being woken by the noise, with the force of the explosions blowing out windows, including those of the nearby synagogue.

The government loaned the charity four ambulances to replace those that were destroyed, and has said it would cover the cost of new vehicles.

An appeal has raised more than £3.2m to find new, safer premises for the Hatzola ambulance service in Golders Green.

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Separately, two men aged 45 and 47, arrested last Wednesday, have both been released on bail until later in April.

Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in northwest London, said a "bespoke policing plan" has been deployed at vulnerable areas across London, including Golders Green.

"This has involved a significant number of additional officers on the ground. It is also being supported by highly visible armed police patrols to serve as a deterrent to anyone seeking to cause our communities harm."

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