Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into the arson of four Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green overnight, although it is not yet being treated as terror-related.
The Metropolitan Police said they are looking for three hooded suspects and are examining the authenticity of a claim of responsibility made online.
Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the “horrific” antisemitic arson attack, while the government has said it will provide funding for replacement vehicles.
The ambulances, which belong to the volunteer-run emergency service Hatzola, were targeted in Highfield Road in Golders Green at around 1.45am, with no injuries reported.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, with no arrests yet made.
In a post on X, Sir Keir Starmer said: “This is a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack. My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news. Antisemitism has no place in our society. Anyone with any information must come forward to the police.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said: “While this has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage, the investigation is now being led by counter terrorism policing with all the specialist expertise they bring, and all lines of enquiry remain open.”
Key Points
- Terror police lead probe as claim of responsibility made online by group
- Sir Keir Starmer condemns 'horrific antisemitic attack' in Golders Green
- Chief rabbi says attack is a 'particularly sickening assault' on Jewish community
- Watch: Suspects set fire to Jewish volunteer ambulances
- Government will fund replacement of four ambulances
Archbishop of Canterbury condemns 'appalling' antisemitic attack
12:13 , Holly EvansThe Archbishop of Canterbury condemned the “appalling antisemitic attack” in London.
Dame Sarah Mullally said: “My prayers are with the Jewish community after the appalling antisemitic attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green.
“Such acts of violence, hatred and intimidation have no place in our society.”
My prayers are with the Jewish community after the appalling antisemitic attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green.
— Archbishop of Canterbury (@ArchbishopSarah) March 23, 2026
Such acts of violence, hatred and intimidation have no place in our society. pic.twitter.com/a6dxPzYmnV
Reform's London mayor candidate calls for 'zero tolerance approach' to antisemitism
12:11 , Holly EvansLaila Cunningham, Reform’s London mayoral candidate, has been speaking to the Jewish community in Golders Green following the ambulance arson attack.
Ms Cunningham said: “We have had a terrorist attack in our city, and as we all know that an attack on the Jewish community is an attack on all of London.
“Every Jewish person should be terrified, but so should every Londoner.
“If we don’t protect every single community and we allow the glorification of any kind of intimidation of any group, in particular, now the Jewish group, then our streets belong to extremists, and no longer belong to us.”
She added: “The Jewish community doesn’t want a mayor to act after something’s happened. They want to prevent it.
“What they really need is visible protection, visible policing as a baseline, not just as a reaction to terrorism.
“They also want a zero-tolerance approach to any kind of glorification of intimidation of the Jewish community.
Met Police 'stepping up' support for Jewish communities
11:54 , Holly EvansDetective chief superintendent Luke Williams said the Metropolitan Police will be “stepping up” support for Jewish communities across London following the attack.
He said: “We have already spoken to local community and faith leaders and will continue that work today. A specific policing plan focused on key community locations across the area is under way and will continue beyond the coming days as we move towards Passover in early April.
“This attack comes at a time when fears are already heightened given global events and recent attacks targeting Jewish communities in other parts of Europe.
“The Met Police stands shoulder to shoulder with our partners and communities. Together we take a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime.
“We are stepping up our support to Jewish communities across London to engage, offer reassurance and take practical action to protect people and property.”
Terror police lead probe as claim of responsibility made online by group
11:42 , Holly EvansCounter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into the arson of four Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green overnight, Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said.
Speaking at the scene of the fires, he said the attack has not been declared as a terrorist incident at this stage, while officers examine the authenticity of a claim of responsibility made online.
Police are looking for three hooded suspects and no arrests have yet been made.
He said: “We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage. CCTV footage appears to show three people in hoods pouring an accelerant on to the vehicles before igniting them and fleeing.
“While this has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage, the investigation is now being led by counter terrorism policing with all the specialist expertise they bring, and all lines of enquiry remain open.
“We are aware of an online claim from a group taking responsibility for this attack. Establishing the authenticity and accuracy of this claim will be a priority for the investigation team but it is not something we can confirm at this point.
“There have been no arrests at this early stage, and we would urge anyone with information to please contact us as soon as possible – you can do so anonymously if you wish.”
Investigation being led by counter-terrorism police
11:39 , Holly EvansAn investigation into an arson attack on four Jewish community ambulances is being led by counter-terror police although it is not yet being treated as terror-related, the Metropolitan Police said.
Police give update
11:38 , Holly EvansThe Metropolitan Police have begun giving an update on their investigation from the scene in Golders Green.
We’ll be bringing you all the latest updates.
Local author whose relative survived Auschwitz says attack was 'not shocking'
11:36 , Holly EvansDov Forman, 22, is a local author and campaigner against antisemitism.
He is the great-grandson of Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert, who passed away in October 2024.
Mr Forman said his great-grandmother had been helped multiple times by the ambulance service, adding: “Everyone here will have a story about Hatzola, the incredible work they do to save lives every single day.”
On the alleged arson attack, he said it was “not shocking”.
He said: “I think ultimately people are relieved this is an attack on ambulances instead of a synagogue or one of the schools.”
The local resident said the Jewish community “can’t just keep besieging ourselves”.
He said he knows young Jewish people who are leaving the country because they do not feel safe, adding: “This will only add to that.”
BMA criticises 'reprehensible' attacks on healthcare services
11:24 , Holly EvansThe British Medical Association (BMA) criticised “deliberate attacks on healthcare services” as “reprehensible” after Jewish community ambulances were set on fire in London.
BMA council chairman Dr Tom Dolphin said: “We are appalled to see this attack on ambulances that provide an important service to people in north London.
“Antisemitism is abhorrent, and deliberate attacks on healthcare services are reprehensible, and this horrendous incident involves both. It is a relief that no-one was injured, but this makes the attack no less sickening.
“Our thoughts are with the Jewish community in north London and across the UK.”
In pictures: Wreckage of four ambulances after overnight arson attack
11:15 , Holly Evans
Government will fund replacement of four ambulances
11:07 , Holly EvansThe government will also fund the replacement of four Jewish community ambulances, Mr Streeting said.
Speaking about the attack from north London, Mr Streeting said the prime minister and home secretary would have more to say, adding: “But when it comes to our response today, to support our friends in the community with the ambulance service, with London Ambulance Service, will today be providing additional support to make sure that the charity is supported to respond to anyone in need.
“So the important message to the local Jewish community, indeed, to Londoners more widely, if you need help from the ambulance service, that they seek it, we will be there for you, but the Jewish community should not be left footing the bill for this despicable attack, which is why tomorrow morning, at the latest, we will have four ambulances in place to replace those that have been destroyed, and we’ll be working to replace those ambulances on a permanent basis, and we will fund the replacement of those ambulances.
“Those responsible for this attack must know that the Jewish community will not face up to this hatred alone. The whole country will stand with them.”
Wes Streeting says attack was aimed to make British Jews 'be less visible'
11:02 , Holly EvansAn attack on four Jewish community ambulances was aimed at making British Jews “be less visible” and “fear going about” their lives, Wes Streeting said as he pledged extra health support.
Speaking at the scene of the attack in north London, the Health Secretary said: “The aim of these attackers is clear. They want Jewish people in this country to live smaller lives, to live less Jewish lives, to be less visible as Jewish people, to fear going about Jewish life.”
He added: “I know that the Jewish community will not be cowed by this despicable act of evil, but it is the responsibility of the rest of us not to be bystanders.
“Every decent person in this country needs to stand up and speak up against this vile antisemitic hatred. And of course, the best form of solidarity is practical solidarity, which is why today, our London Ambulance Service colleagues will be providing support to the team here in Golders Green to make sure that we don’t skip a beat when it comes to responding to emergency callouts.”
Watch: Suspects set fire to Jewish volunteer ambulances
10:59 , Holly EvansChief rabbi says attack is a 'particularly sickening assault' on Jewish community
10:58 , Holly EvansThe Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said in a statement on X: “The deliberate arson attacks against Hatzola ambulances in London are a particularly sickening assault – not only on the Jewish community, but on the values we share as a society.
“Our Hatzola volunteer ambulance corps is an extraordinary service, whose sole mission is to protect life, Jewish and non-Jewish alike.
“The targeting of Hatzola by people so committed to terror, hatred and the desecration of life is a most painful illustration of the ongoing battle between those who sanctify life and those who seek to destroy it.
“At a time when Jewish communities around the world are facing a growing pattern of these violent attacks, we will meet this moment with shared resolve and stand together against hatred and intimidation.”
The deliberate arson attacks against Hatzola ambulances in London are a particularly sickening assault - not only on the Jewish community, but on the values we share as a society.
— Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) March 23, 2026
Our Hatzola volunteer ambulance corps is an extraordinary service, whose sole mission is to…
Sir Keir Starmer condemns 'horrific antisemitic attack' in Golders Green
10:56 , Holly EvansPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called for communities to “all stand together” in the face of an “horrific antisemitic attack”, which saw four Jewish community ambulances set on fire.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, with CCTV showing three individuals setting light to an ambulance in the early hours of Monday morning.
There were no injuries reported in the attack on the Jewish community ambulance service, Hatzola, in Highfield Road, Golders Green, north-west London, around 1.45am, and no arrests have yet been made.
Jewish community leaders condemned the attack, with the Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis saying the targeting of the volunteer service was “particularly sickening”.
Investigators are working to identify who carried out the attack. It is understood to be too early to say if it was inspired by a particular group.
