Fourth Arrest Made in Golders Green Ambulance Arson Investigation
Police have announced a new arrest in connection with the suspected arson attack that saw four Jewish community ambulances set alight in Golders Green, north-west London. The arrest was confirmed at Westminster Magistrates' Court this morning by prosecutor Emma Harraway during a hearing for three other defendants already charged in the case.
Three Defendants Face Serious Arson Charges
Two men and one youth appeared in court today charged with arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered. The charges relate to the alleged attack on ambulances outside a synagogue in Golders Green during the early hours of March 23.
The defendants are Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19, both British nationals from Leyton, along with a 17-year-old boy who holds dual British and Pakistani nationality from Walthamstow. All three were arrested last Wednesday and formally charged on Friday.
Iqbal and Khan, the latter identified as a college student, have been remanded in custody following their court appearance. Both men wore grey prison-issue tracksuits and spoke only to confirm their personal details. As Iqbal was led to the cells, a member of the public gallery called out: 'Take care son, yeah.'
The 17-year-old defendant, facing the same charge, has been remanded into youth detention accommodation following his court appearance.
Targeted Attack Against Jewish Community
Prosecutor Emma Harraway told the court: 'There is significant evidence that this was a premeditated and targeted attack against the Jewish community.' The motivation behind the alleged attack remains unknown, though the court heard it 'specifically targeted' the ambulances.
The incident, which occurred outside a synagogue in north-west London, resulted in approximately £1 million worth of damage. The firebombing caused gas canisters stored within the volunteer-led Hatzola ambulances to explode, though fortunately no injuries were reported.
Two additional men, aged 45 and 47, were arrested in the days following the incident and have been released on bail until late April. These British nationals were detained by counter terrorism detectives at addresses in north-west and central London on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
Counter Terrorism Investigation Continues
Although police have not formally declared the incident as terrorism 'at this stage,' counter terror detectives are leading the investigation due to 'the circumstances of the incident.' The three defendants were arrested as part of a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation and did not enter pleas during today's hearing.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, stated: 'Since this appalling attack last week, we have been working continuously to investigate and identify those responsible. The investigation has now reached a stage where three people have been charged and they will now appear in court.'
She added: '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.'
Community Response and Enhanced Security
In response to the attack, the Metropolitan Police has deployed an additional 264 officers along with specialist teams including firearms units, the mounted branch, and drones to enhance security for Jewish communities during the Passover period.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in North West London, explained: '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.'
He described these measures as 'precautionary and not in response to any specific threat,' adding that they include 'highly visible armed police patrols to serve as a deterrent to anyone seeking to cause our communities harm.'
Investigation Details and Community Impact
CCTV footage from the incident shows three hooded figures apparently pouring accelerant on the ambulances before setting them alight. The force of the explosions caused windows to break in a nearby block of flats, and the synagogue – one of the oldest in Europe – sustained roof damage and smashed stained glass windows.
Six fire engines and 40 firefighters responded to the scene on Highfield Road near the Mchzike Hadath synagogue at approximately 1:45am on March 23. Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution due to the exploding gas canisters.
The Metropolitan Police is investigating whether an Islamist group with possible Iranian state links was behind the arson. Investigators are examining claims by a suspected Iran-backed group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia that it was responsible for the attack.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced that the four destroyed ambulances will be replaced by vehicles from the London Ambulance Service. The volunteer-run Hatzola organization, founded in 1979, provides free emergency medical response and transportation to hospitals within the Jewish community.
The three defendants are scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on April 24 as the investigation continues to unfold.
