Ambulances set alight in ‘antisemitic hate crime’ | UK | News
Police launched an operation to capture three suspects after three volunteer ambulances burst into flames in an incident they described as an “anti-Semitic hate crime.”
The arson attack on four Jewish Community Ambulance vehicles took place in Golders Green, North West London.
The Metropolitan Police, trying to find the suspects, described the incident as an ‘anti-Semitic hate crime’.
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Four Hatzola ambulances were set ablaze on Highfield Road at around 1.40am on Monday, March 23.
Hatzola is a large, nonprofit volunteer organization that provides emergency medical attention to the Jewish people.
There is a large Jewish population in Golders Green and this service has been available in the neighborhood since 1979.
As a precaution, nearby houses were evacuated and roads were closed.
While there were no injuries in the incident, the fire was taken under control around 03:00 in the morning.
Citizens around said they heard an explosion.
London Fire Brigade confirmed these were caused by multiple gas cylinders found in the vehicles. The windows of a nearby apartment block were broken due to the explosion.
The Met said they were searching for three suspects following the incident.
Superintendent Sarah Jackson, who leads policing in the local area, said: “We know this incident will cause great concern in the community and officers remain at the scene to conduct urgent investigations. We are in the process of reviewing CCTV and are aware of online footage. We believe we are searching for three suspects at this early stage.”
“No arrests have yet been made and we would ask anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible – you can also do so anonymously if you wish.
“We will be in contact with faith leaders and carrying out additional patrols in the local area as we continue our investigation to provide security and maintain a highly visible presence.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting C$415 of March 23, or to call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
