Two British men arrested in connection with an arson attack against four ambulances owned by a volunteer-run Jewish charity have been released on bail.The suspects, aged 47 and 45, were detained on Wednesday morning at addresses in northwest and central London, respectively.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed searches have been taking place in the Kilburn and Kings Cross areas, where the men were arrested, as well as at two other addresses in the capital.Four ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service, were set on fire at around 1.35am on Monday in Golders Green, next to the Machzike Hadath Synagogue.CCTV footage appeared to show three hooded suspects pouring accelerant on the parked vehicles. Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation, which they initially said they were treating as an antisemitic hate crime.
Image:
Four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community organisation were set on fire. Pic: Reuters
Image:
The vehicles were targeted overnight in Golders Green, next to a synagogue. Pic: AP
Image:
Pic: Reuters
Both men were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and have been released “under strict bail conditions” until April while the investigation continues, the Metropolitan Police said.A newly formed Iran-aligned group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI), has claimed it was behind the attack, along with others in recent weeks in Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Liege.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation, said: “We continue to work to try and identify all of those involved in this appalling attack and the investigation team is working around the clock to do this.”On Monday evening, more than 250 people attended a demonstration against antisemitism in Golders Green.
Share
Protesters rally to ‘stop the hate’ in London
Replacement ambulances from NHSOn Tuesday, the NHS loaned Hatzola four ambulances to replace those targeted in the arson attack.Health Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed the government would also cover the cost of the vehicles that were destroyed, although separately, £3.2m has been raised online to find the charity safer premises.
Image:
The ambulances have been loaned from the NHS. Pic: PA
Image:
Ambulances arrive in Golders Green to replace those destroyed
Read more from Jattvibe:Archbishop warns of intoleranceRecorded rise in hate crimeManchester synagogue attackerMet deploys armed patrolsDetective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in northwest London, said armed patrols will be providing reassurance to vulnerable communities around London.”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,” he explained.
The attacks have been widely condemned by Jewish groups and politicians. Yossi Pincus, manager of the Hatzola organisation, warned that antisemitism was an “intrinsic problem nationwide” that is growing.
