London Jewish community ambulances torched in suspected hate crime, police say

Ambulances belonged to Hatzola, a not-for-profit volunteer organisation that responds to medical emergencies

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Reuters March 23, 2026 1 min read

A police cordon line and police car near the scene after four ambulances belonging to Hatzola, a Jewish community organisation, were set on fire in an incident that the police say is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, in northwest London, Britain, March 23, 2026 PHOTO: REUTERS

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Four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community organisation in north London were ​set ablaze, police said on Monday, adding ‌that the incident was being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.

"An investigation has been launched after four ambulances belonging to ​the Jewish Community Ambulance service were set on ​fire in Golders Green," Metropolitan Police said ⁠in a statement.

"Officers remain on scene, and the arson ​attack is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime."

The ​ambulances belonged to Hatzola, a not-for-profit volunteer organisation that responds to medical emergencies.

The London Fire Brigade said it sent six ​fire engines and 40 firefighters to the scene. ​Calls from residents were recorded at 0140 GMT.

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"Multiple cylinders on the ‌vehicles ⁠exploded and caused windows to break in an adjacent block of flats. No injuries are reported."

The London Fire Brigade said the fire was under control by ​0306 GMT.

Attacks against ​Jews and ⁠Jewish targets have risen worldwide since the Hamas attacks that triggered the Gaza ​war.

Since the conflict, Britain has recorded significantly higher levels ⁠of antisemitic hate.

The most severe antisemitic incident in Britain last year was the Manchester attack that killed two Jewish ⁠worshippers ​during Yom Kippur, the holiest ​day in the Jewish calendar.