Major update on ‘appalling’ Golders Green ambulance arson attack | UK | News
A view from the scene (Image: Getty)
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that three men arrested have been charged in connection with an arson attack on volunteer-run ambulances of the Jewish community in Golders Green.
Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19, both British citizens from Leyton, east London, were charged with arson by acting recklessly about whether life would be endangered. A 17-year-old boy from Walthamstow, a dual British and Pakistani national who cannot be named due to his age, was also charged. They were all arrested at different locations in east London on Wednesday 1 April. London Counter Terrorism Police teams searched these addresses.
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The Met Police confirms more officers are being deployed to certain areas (Image: Getty)
The arrests and charges were linked to an ongoing investigation into an arson attack in which four ambulances belonging to Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service operating in the Golders Green area of north London, were set on fire at around 1.35am on March 23.
Iqbal, Khan and the 17-year-old boy are expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, April 4.
The incident has not been declared terrorism at this stage, but police said the investigation was being carried out by CTP London detectives due to the circumstances of the incident and the specialist capacity of Counter Terrorism Policing.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Chief Executive of London Counter Terrorism Police, who is leading the investigation, said: “Since this horrific attack last week, we have been working continuously to investigate and identify those responsible.
“The investigation has now reached the stage where three people have been charged and they will now appear in court.
“I want to reiterate that the support we have received from the local community since this attack took place has been incredible and we will continue to work closely with our local police colleagues to do everything we can to keep the public safe.”
Detective Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads the force in North West London, confirmed police presence had increased in some communities since the incident.
He said: “We know that concerns from local communities remain high, particularly for our Jewish communities during the Passover period.
“Since the arson attack we have introduced an enhanced, dedicated policing plan focusing on sensitive areas not only in Golders Green but across London.
“This has required the introduction of significant additional officers into the field to protect communities, disrupt offenders and detect crime.
“This activity is ongoing and will continue over the coming days and will include the deployment of local as well as specialist officers and capabilities.
“It is also supported by highly visible armed police patrols to act as a deterrent to anyone seeking to harm our communities.
“As I have said before, these are precautionary measures and are not a response to a specific threat. We continue to work with our colleagues in the Counter Terrorism Police to support their investigations. We will also continue to work closely with local communities and our partners to listen to and respond to their concerns.”
The two men were previously arrested on Wednesday, March 25, and both were released on bail until the end of April pending further investigation.
