An official works among the burnt out ambulances at the scene of an antisemitic arson attack in the Golders Green neighbourhood of north London, on March 24, 2026. HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP
British police said on Wednesday, March 25, they had arrested two men over a London arson attack on four volunteer ambulances run by a Jewish organization. The arrests came after police said they were investigating an online claim of responsibility by a little-known Islamist group which has possible links to Iran.
The ambulances were set on fire early Monday while they were parked next to a synagogue in the Golders Green area of London, which has a large Jewish population. The Metropolitan Police said two men aged 47 and 45 were arrested by counter-terrorism detectives "on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life."
This offense carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. The police statement did not mention a terror charge. Police earlier said the attack was being treated "as an antisemitic hate crime." The men were arrested at addresses in central and northwestern London where officers were carrying out searches, police said.
The Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI) group, meaning The Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand, claimed Monday's attack in a Telegram post, after saying it was also responsible for similar attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands.
