LONDON — London police have taken three more individuals into custody Wednesday in connection with the deliberate burning of ambulances belonging to a Jewish charitable organization, authorities announced.
The Metropolitan Police Service reported that officers arrested two British citizens, aged 20 and 19, along with a 17-year-old who holds both British and Pakistani citizenship. All three face charges related to conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.
The incident is being examined by counterterrorism investigators as a hate crime targeting the Jewish community. Officials are looking into claims that a group potentially connected to Iran took responsibility for the attack, though they have not classified it as terrorism.
Earlier arrests in the case involved two men, ages 45 and 47, who have since been released on bail while facing similar arson charges.
The fire occurred on March 23 in Golders Green, an area of north London home to many Jewish residents. Four emergency vehicles belonging to Hatzola Northwest, a volunteer medical service serving the local community, were completely destroyed. The blaze caused oxygen tanks inside the ambulances to detonate, shattering windows in a nearby residential building.
Cmdr. Helen Flanagan, who leads counterterror operations, addressed the investigation’s progress. “Since this appalling attack last week, we have been working continuously to investigate and identify those responsible,” Flanagan said. “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.”
