Shocking CCTV footage has captured the moment three masked individuals set fire to four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community ambulance service in London, in what authorities are treating as a deliberate antisemitic hate crime. The Metropolitan Police launched an urgent investigation after the arson attack in the early hours of Monday morning in Golders Green, with no injuries reported but significant community alarm.
Footage Reveals Chilling Attack
The surveillance video shows the trio, dressed in dark clothing and wearing balaclavas, disappearing behind an ambulance operated by Hatzola, a volunteer-run Jewish charity that provides free medical transportation in North London. Moments later, flames erupt, engulfing the vehicle as the suspects flee the scene. The London Fire Brigade was called to Highfield Road around 1:45 am, with the blaze declared under control by 3:06 am after approximately 40 firefighters responded.
Police Investigation and Community Response
Superintendent Sarah Jackson, leading the local policing effort, stated that officers are examining CCTV and online footage while maintaining a visible presence to reassure the community. "We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern," she said, urging anyone with information to come forward anonymously. The attack occurred in the car park of a synagogue, amplifying fears within the Jewish community at a time of heightened antisemitism in the UK.
Reports of explosions were linked to gas canisters and oxygen tanks on the ambulances, which caused windows to break in nearby flats and led to the precautionary evacuation of homes. Road closures remained in place as investigations continued, with the Community Security Trust assisting police.
Condemnation from Leaders
Health Secretary Wes Streeting denounced the attack as "sickening" in a social media post, emphasizing the need to stand together against antisemitic hatred. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the arson as a "particularly sickening assault" on both the Jewish community and societal values, praising Hatzola's life-saving mission for all. Local councillor Dean Cohen warned that authorities must "do more to tackle this hate running riot," reflecting widespread outrage.
Shomrim, a neighbourhood watch group in Golders Green, confirmed that loud explosions were caused by oxygen tanks, not bombs, and noted that the Hatzola facility remains fully operational despite the destruction. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with residents expressing heightened concerns over safety and antisemitism.
