Three more arrested over Golders Green arson attack on Jewish community ambulances
Three more people have been arrested in connection with the firebombing of a Jewish community ambulance service in Golders Green.
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Counter Terrorism Police arrested two men, aged 20 and 19, and a 17-year-old boy in the early hours of Wednesday morning at three separate addresses in east London.
All three were detained on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life after four ambulances were set alight on Highfield Road in northwest London shortly after 1.35am on Monday, March 23.
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The trio have been taken into custody where they will be quizzed by Scotland Yard detectives while raids are carried out at their homes.
The 20-year-old and 17-year-old suspects are British nationals, while the third is a dual British and Pakistani national, the force said.
The arrests are linked to the ongoing investigation into the arson attack on volunteer ambulances belonging to Hatzola, a Jewish volunteer-led service operating in the local area.
Two men, both UK nationals aged 47 and 45, were previously arrested on Wednesday, March 25.
Both have been released on bail to a date in late-April, pending further enquiries.
The incident has not been declared as terrorism, but counter-terror police are still leading the investigation.
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. 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 the scene, near the Mchzike Hadath synagogue in Golders Green, last Monday to put out the raging flames. No one was injured.
An Islamist militant group linked to Iran has claimed responsibility for the attack, but security experts have said there is no evidence to verify the claim.
The blaze is also believed to have caused gas canisters onboard the Hatzola ambulances to explode, with the force of the blast causing 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.
Residents were evacuated as a precaution, but no one was hurt in the attack.
In response, armed police have been deployed by the Met to protect Jewish communities across north London as they prepare enter the Passover festival period.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in North West London said: "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."