Three more people have been arrested after four Jewish community ambulances were targeted in an alleged arson attack in north-west London.
Two British men, aged 19 and 20, and a 17-year-old dual British-Pakistani national, were arrested at separate addresses in east London on Wednesday.
They were all held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life and their homes are being searched.
Four ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service operating in the Golders Green area of north-west London, were set on fire in the early hours of March 23, causing gas canisters stored in the vehicles to explode.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for communities to “all stand together” in the face of the “horrific antisemitic attack”, while Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said the targeting of the volunteer service was “particularly sickening”.
Two other men aged 45 and 47 who were arrested last week, and are also British, have been released on bail until late April.
CCTV footage showed three hooded figures apparently pouring accelerant on the ambulances and setting them on fire.
Investigators were looking into claims by a suspected Iran-backed group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia that it had been behind the attack.
A video was posted on Telegram featuring a map of the location where the ambulances were kept and footage on them on fire.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of counter terrorism policing London, which is leading the investigation said: “Since this appalling attack last week, we have been working continuously to investigate and identify those responsible.
“We know concern among the Jewish community remains high, but I hope these arrests show that we are doing everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.
“As I’ve said previously, the support we had from the local community since this attack took place has been incredible, and we will continue to work closely with local policing colleagues to do everything we can to keep the public safe.”
In the wake of the attack, the Met deployed an additional 264 officers as well as specialist teams including firearms, the mounted branch and drones, to boost security for Jewish communities in the run up to Passover.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in North West London said: “We know local community concern continues to remain high – particularly for our Jewish communities as they now enter the Passover festival period.
“Since the arson attack, we have put in place an enhanced, bespoke policing plan, which has been focused around vulnerable areas not only in Golders Green, but right across London.
“This has involved a significant number of officers on the ground, with the aim of protecting communities, disrupting offenders, and detecting crime.
“This activity is ongoing and will continue over the coming days and weeks and includes specialist officers and capability being deployed alongside local officers.
“It is also being supported by highly visible armed police patrols to serve as a deterrent to anyone seeking to cause our communities harm.
“As I’ve said before, these are precautionary measures and not in response to any specific threat, and we continue to work alongside our colleagues in Counter Terrorism Policing to support their investigation.
“We will also continue to work closely with local communities and our partners to listen to their concerns and respond to these.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101 giving the reference 415 of March 23, or to remain anonymous, contant Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
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