Three charged over Jewish charity ambulance fires

Three charged over Jewish charity ambulance fires

Four ambulances operated by a Jewish charity were torched in north London during the past week, leading to three individuals being charged with arson. The vehicles, part of the volunteer-run Hatzola group, were deliberately ignited in the synagogue’s parking lot in Golders Green on the early morning of 23 March.

Authorities apprehended the three suspects on Wednesday during raids at three separate locations in east London, as part of an ongoing inquiry into the alleged attack. The accused include Hamza Iqbal, 20, Rehan Khan, 19, and a 17-year-old dual British-Pakistani national, all charged with intent to damage property and recklessness regarding potential harm to life. The pair from Leyton, along with the youth from Walthamstow, are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

“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. She highlighted the “incredible” local community support during the incident.

Counter-terror police are overseeing the probe, though the Met clarified that the event “has not been declared as terrorism” at this stage. Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s special crime and counter terrorism division, reminded that “criminal proceedings against these defendants are active” and that they have the right to a fair trial.

Earlier in the week, two men aged 45 and 47 were detained in connection with the case and released on bail until late April. Det Ch Sup Luke Williams, responsible for North West London policing, noted that increased police presence in Jewish-populated areas is “precautionary measures and not in response to any specific threat.”