Three more arrests made in connection with ambulances arson attack
Four Jewish community ambulances were set alight in Golders Green last week
Last updated 8 hours ago
Three more people have been arrested after four Jewish community ambulances were targeted in an alleged arson attack in north-west London.
Two British men, aged 19 and 20, and a 17-year-old dual British-Pakistani national, were arrested at separate addresses in east London today (Wednesday 1st April 2026).
They were all held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life and their homes are being searched.
Four ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service operating in the Golders Green area of north-west London, were set on fire in the early hours of March 23, causing gas canisters stored in the vehicles to explode.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for communities to “all stand together” in the face of the “horrific antisemitic attack”, while Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said the targeting of the volunteer service was “particularly sickening”.
Two other men aged 45 and 47 who were arrested last week, and are also British, have been released on bail until late April.
CCTV footage showed three hooded figures apparently pouring accelerant on the ambulances and setting them on fire.
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 on them on fire.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of counter terrorism policing London, which is leading the investigation said: “Since this appalling attack last week, we have been working continuously to investigate and identify those responsible.
“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.”
In the wake of the attack, 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.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in North West London said: “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.
“As I’ve said before, these are precautionary measures and not in response to any specific threat, and we continue to work alongside our colleagues in Counter Terrorism Policing to support their investigation.
“We will also continue to work closely with local communities and our partners to listen to their concerns and respond to these.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101 giving the reference 415 of March 23, or to remain anonymous, contant Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
City’s mayor resigns over online posts about Golders Green arson
A city’s mayor has resigned after sharing social media posts that suggested the arson attack on Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green was a fraud.
Dr Bharat Pankhania was mayor of Bath after being unanimously elected by the city’s charter trustees in June last year.
He shared a post on his X account about the attack on four ambulances run by Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service.
The vehicles were set on fire in the early hours of March 23, causing gas canisters stored inside them to explode.
Dr Pankhania apologised for sharing the posts, which he described as “abhorrent”, and was suspended by the Liberal Democrat group on Bath and North East Somerset Council.
In a statement this week, the Liberal Democrat council group confirmed that Dr Pankhania had offered his resignation as city mayor and from the group.
A spokesperson said: “As of March 30 2026, Cllr Bharat Pankhania has offered his resignations from the position of Mayor of Bath and from the Liberal Democrat Group on Bath and North East Somerset Council, from which he had already been suspended.
“Both these resignations have been accepted.
“Cllr Pankhania again apologised for his interactions on X, and reiterated that he has spent his life working with all communities, whilst acknowledging the hurt he had caused.
“In resigning, Cllr Pankhania is taking clear personal responsibility for his actions.
“As a Group and as a Party, we reject discrimination wherever it occurs and reiterate our stance against antisemitism.”
In a statement on X, Dr Pankhania previously said: “I have been made aware that I have reposted or replied to some posts which have never aligned to my values and beliefs, and which are abhorrent.
“I am incredibly apologetic that I have not lived up to the standards I set myself.
“I have of course deleted them, and I wish to apologise unreservedly.”