Two men have been arrested by counterterrorism detectives investigating an arson attack on volunteer-led ambulances run by the Jewish community in Golders Green.
The men, aged 47 and 45, were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life on Wednesday morning, the Metropolitan Police said.
The arrests are linked to the ongoing investigation into an arson attack in north London in the early hours of Monday. At around 1.35am, four ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service operating in the Golders Green area, were set on fire.
The 47-year-old man was arrested at an address in northwest London, and the other was arrested at a property in central London. Both have been taken to a London police station, where they currently remain in custody. Officers are carrying out searches at the two addresses, understood to be in areas near Kilburn and King’s Cross.
Police said the investigation “very much remains active” and CCTV footage of the incident “suggests there were at least three people involved”.
The head of the Metropolitan Police said earlier this week that the force was investigating whether an Islamist group with possible Iranian state links was behind the arson attack.
Gas canisters kept in the ambulances exploded after they were set alight, and nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.
Residents described being woken in the early hours by the noise, with the force of the explosions blowing out windows, including those of the nearby synagogue.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation, said: “We have been working around the clock since this appalling attack took place, and this has led to these arrests being made this morning.
“This appears to be an important breakthrough in the investigation, but we’re also mindful that CCTV footage of the incident suggests there were at least three people involved. We fully recognise the local community will still be concerned, and our investigation very much remains active, and we will continue to work to identify and seek to arrest all of those who may have been involved.
“I’d like to thank the public and particularly the local Jewish community in the area for their continued support and reiterate our appeal to anyone who might have information that could assist with the investigation to get in touch with us.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in northwest London, said: “We know that community concerns remain heightened, and I want to reassure the community that an enhanced, bespoke policing plan and activity, which is particularly focused around vulnerable areas right across London, will continue over the coming days and weeks.
“This includes specialist officers and capability being deployed alongside local officers to help protect certain locations and will also involve highly visible armed police patrols to serve as a deterrent to anyone seeking to cause our communities harm.
“I must stress that these are precautionary and not in response to any specific threat, and we continue to work alongside our colleagues in counterterrorism 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 that could assist the investigation can call the police on 101, providing the reference number 415 of 23 March. Alternatively, those who want to remain anonymous can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
