In the early hours of Monday, four ambulances belonging to the Jewish volunteer organisation Hatzola Northwest were set alight in the Golders Green area of north-west London.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the incident occurred at approximately 1:45 a.m. local time on Highfield Road, near the Machzike Hadath synagogue. The London Fire Brigade attended the scene and extinguished the blaze. There were no casualties, however all four vehicles sustained severe damage — preliminary reports indicate they were completely destroyed by the fire.
Police have classified the incident as arson and are treating it as an antisemitic hate crime. Investigators worked at the scene and CCTV footage is being retrieved. According to eyewitness accounts and footage circulating on social media, three individuals dressed in dark clothing and hooded tops approached the vehicles, which then caught fire almost simultaneously. Explosions were reported, believed to have been caused by oxygen cylinders or other medical equipment on board.
Hatzola Northwest is a non-profit volunteer service that provides free, round-the-clock emergency medical assistance and hospital transport, primarily to members of London’s Jewish community. The organisation is funded through donations and operates on a voluntary basis.
Police are actively searching for suspects. The road near the scene has been closed, and several nearby properties were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Representatives of the Jewish community described the attack as “vile and cowardly,” emphasising that the targeted vehicles save lives every day — including those of non-Jews. Official responses from the UK government and community leaders are expected in the coming hours.
The investigation is ongoing.