Police have made a new arrest over an ‘arson attack’ in Golders Green that saw four Jewish community ambulances set alight.
The arrest took place at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning, and was announced by prosecutor Emma Harraway during the hearing.
This comes after two men and one youth appeared at the London court today charged with arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.
The charges come in connection with the alleged attack on ambulances outside a synagogue in north-west London last week.
Hamza Iqbal, 20, Rehan Khan, 19, both British nationals from Leyton, and a 17-year-old boy, a dual British and Pakistani national from Walthamstow, were arrested on Wednesday. They were charged on Friday.
Iqbal and Khan, who is a college student, have been remanded in custody after they were charged with the alleged arson attack that took place in the early hours of March 23.
The two men appeared at court wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit and spoke only to confirm their name, date of birth and address. As Iqbal was taken to the cells, a member of the public gallery said: ‘Take care son, yeah.’
The 17-year-old boy, also charged with the same offence, was remanded into youth detention accommodation after appearing in court.
Four ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service operating in the Golders Green area of north-west London, were set on fire (pictured) in the early hours of March 23
Hamza Iqbal (left) and Rehan Khan (right) appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today charged with arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered
The accused, who were arrested as part of a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation, did not enter pleas.
Ms Harraway told the court today: ‘There is significant evidence that this was a premeditated and targeted attack against the Jewish community.’
The motivation behind the alleged attack is not yet known, the court heard, which ‘specifically targeted’ the ambulances.
The incident in north-west London saw vehicles set alight in the early hours of last Monday outside a synagogue in a suspected anti-Semitic hate crime, resulting in £1million worth of damage, Westminster Magistrates Court heard.
The firebombing caused gas canisters in the ambulances, from the volunteer-led service Hatzola, to explode.
Two men aged 45 and 47 were arrested in the following days in connection with the incident. They have been released on bail until late April.
The two British nationals were held by counter terrorism detectives at addresses in north-west London and central London, on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
Police said earlier this week the incident was not ‘at this stage’ declared as terrorism, but due to ‘the circumstances of the incident’ counter terror detectives have been leading the probe.
Pictured: Three hooded suspects approach the vehicles before they are set alight
It caused gas canisters stored in the vehicles (pictured, in the aftermath) to explode
The three defendants are set to appear at the Old Bailey on April 24.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: ‘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 had previously 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.
‘As I’ve said previously, the support we had from the local community since this attack took place has been incredible, and we will continue to work closely with local policing colleagues to do everything we can to keep the public safe.’
Six fire engines and 40 firefighters rushed to Highfield Road, near the Mchzike Hadath synagogue, at about 1.45am on March 23. No one was injured.
CCTV footage showed three hooded figures apparently pouring accelerant on the ambulances and setting them on fire.
The head of the Metropolitan Police said after the attack the force was investigating whether an Islamist group with possible Iranian state links was behind the arson.
The incident in north-west London in the early hours of last Monday saw the vehicles set on fire outside a synagogue in a suspected anti-Semitic hate crime. Pictured: The aftermath
Investigators were looking into claims by a suspected Iran-backed group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia that it had been behind the attack.
A video was posted on Telegram featuring a map of the location where the ambulances were kept and footage of them on fire.
Gas canisters kept in the ambulances exploded after they were set alight, with nearby homes evacuated as a precaution.
The force of the blasts caused windows to break in a nearby block of flats.
The synagogue, which is one of the oldest in Europe, had its roof damaged and stained glass windows smashed in the fire.
The volunteer-run Jewish organisation Hatzola, founded in 1979, provides free emergency medical response and transportation to hospitals.
In the wake of the arson, the Met deployed an additional 264 officers as well as specialist teams including firearms, the mounted branch and drones, to boost security for Jewish communities in the run up to Passover.
Condemning the ‘deeply shocking’ attack, Sir Keir Starmer said in the aftermath: ‘My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news.
‘Antisemitism has no place in our society. Anyone with any information must come forward to the police.’
Gideon Falter, chief executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: ‘We are absolutely heartbroken that this is how low Britain has sunk.
‘This horrific act truly plumbs new depths.’
Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced the four ambulances would be replaced by vehicles from the London Ambulance Service.
Det Chief Supt Luke Williams, who leads policing in North West London said today: ‘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, which has been focused around vulnerable areas not only in Golders Green, but right across London.
‘This has involved a significant number of officers on the ground, with the aim of protecting communities, disrupting offenders, and detecting crime.
‘This activity is ongoing and will continue over the coming days and weeks and includes specialist officers and capability being deployed alongside local officers.
‘It is also being supported by highly visible armed police patrols to serve as a deterrent to anyone seeking to cause our communities harm.’
He described these as ‘precautionary measures and not in response to any specific threat’.
‘We continue to work alongside our colleagues in Counter Terrorism Policing to support their investigation,’ he added.
‘We will also continue to work closely with local communities and our partners to listen to their concerns and respond to these.’
