Three charged over Jewish charity ambulance fires

Three charged over Jewish charity ambulance fires

Four ambulances targeted in north London attack

Three individuals have been formally charged following the setting of fire to four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity in north London last week. The incidents took place in the car park of a synagogue in Golders Green on 23 March, during the early hours of the morning.

The suspects include two British men—Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19—and a 17-year-old dual British-Pakistani national. All three are accused of arson with intent to damage property and reckless endangerment. They were apprehended on Wednesday at three distinct properties in east London, as revealed by the Metropolitan Police.

Iqbal and Khan, both from Leyton, and the 17-year-old from Walthamstow—whose name remains confidential—will face a court appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday. Counter-terror police are overseeing the investigation, though the Met stated that the incident “has not been declared as terrorism” at this stage.

“Since this appalling attack last week, we have been working continuously to investigate and identify those responsible,” said Cdr Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London.

Earlier this week, two men aged 45 and 47 were detained in connection with the case and released on bail until late April. Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s special crime and counter-terrorism division, emphasized that “criminal proceedings against these defendants are active” and that they are guaranteed a fair trial.

The ambulances, managed by Hatzola—a Jewish volunteer group—provide care to patients of all faiths. Police patrols have been heightened in Jewish communities since the attack, according to Det Ch Sup Luke Williams, who oversees North West London policing. He noted that the additional officers are a precautionary measure, not a reaction to a specific threat.

Community support following the incident has been described as “incredible,” said Flanagan. The attack has raised concerns, particularly during the Passover festival, with authorities monitoring Jewish-populated areas closely.