❓WHAT HAPPENED: An arson attack targeted Jewish Community Ambulance Service ambulances outside a synagogue in London, England.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: London’s Metropolitan Police, the London Fire Brigade, Hatzola Ambulance Service, and local residents.
📍WHEN & WHERE: March 23, 2026, at Highfield Road in Golders Green, north London.
💬KEY QUOTE: “We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern and officers remain on scene to carry out urgent enquiries.” – Police Superintendent Sarah Jackson
🎯IMPACT: Community unrest, evacuation of residents, and increased police patrols in the area.
London’s Metropolitan Police force is investigating an arson attack on four ambulances belonging to the Jewish Community Ambulance Service, Hatzola, as an “anti-Semitic hate crime.” The attack occurred in the early hours of March 23, 2026, on Highfield Road in Golders Green, an area of the British capital known for its large Jewish community. The ambulances were parked next to a synagogue at the time of the attack.
The London Fire Brigade arrived at the scene around 01:40 GMT to find the ambulances on fire. “We are in the process of examining CCTV and are aware of online footage. We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage,” said Police Superintendent Sarah Jackson, who is leading the investigation.
The blaze triggered explosions from gas cylinders inside the ambulances, shattering windows in a neighboring apartment block. As a precaution, nearby homes were evacuated, and local roads were closed. No injuries were reported, however, and the fires were believed to be under control as of 03:06 GMT.
Police have not made any arrests so far and are urging anyone with information to come forward. While the motives for the arson attack are currently unknown, there has been a wave of terrorist attack activity worldwide, often targeting Jews, since the start of the Iran war in late February.
Britain saw a more serious anti-Semitic terrorist attack in Manchester last October, when Syrian immigrant Jihad al-Shamie carried out a deadly vehicle ramming and knife attack at a synagogue while on bail for rape.
🚨 BREAKING FOOTAGE: Surveillance video captured 3 suspects on camera setting four ambulances in Golders Green, London, ablaze tonight.
The ambulances belong to Hatzola – a volunteer Jewish emergency service providing 24/7 medical aid
Anyone want to guess their nationalities? https://t.co/b8htJhTmDD pic.twitter.com/SdjGcttK6X
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 23, 2026
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