Image source, Reuters

"Obviously, this is going to cause a lot of concern to the Jewish community - but it shouldn’t only be a matter for Jews," says Mark Gardner, chief executive of the Community Security Trust (CST).

The CST is a volunteer run service which provides security and monitors antisemitism in the UK.

"This was an attack in London, and anybody could have been injured. Thankfully nobody was," Gardner tells BBC Radio 5 Live.

Asked whether the conflict in the Middle East is resulting in more antisemitic incidents, Gardner says it is "almost inevitable these attacks will prove to be part of the same series" as other recent incidents in London, the Netherlands and Belgium.

"It fits firmly into Iranian and Iranian-linked operations," Gardner says. (The Metropolitan Police say they are treating it is an antisemitic attack, but have made no arrests).

Gardner adds: "When something like this happens, it causes absolute shock across the Jewish community - which is its purpose, sadly."

Image source, Getty Images

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has described the Hatzola ambulances as "extraordinary", adding that their "sole mission is to protect life, Jewish and non-Jewish alike".

What exactly does the organisation do?

On its website, Hatzola describes itself as a non-profit, volunteer organisation established in 1979 to respond to emergency medical situations and provide transport in the North London community. This is done at no cost, it says.

The service says it responds to thousand of emergencies every year, "from minor injuries to life-threatening conditions", working alongside hospitals in the local area.

It also works collaboratively with national emergency services, such as the London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, Helicopter Emergency Medical Service and the Metropolitan Police, it adds.

Nisha Patel
Reporting from Golders Green

Image source, Reuters

Sam Danziger’s daughter lives in a block of flats next to where the arson attack happened.

"She's terrified with what happened... she’s still not sleeping," says Danziger, who added that he was part of Shomrim, a group of neighbourhood watch volunteers who patrol Jewish areas in north-east London.

"We got a call about it. We were straightaway concerned [about] what's going on."

Overnight, the fire brigade said multiple cylinders on the ambulances had exploded, causing windows to break in nearby flats.

Dozens of residents were evacuated, with around 30 people taken to a local shelter in the early hours of the morning.

Nisha Patel
Reporting from Golders Green

Ben, who works in the area, says the fire has brought "heartbreak for everyone".

"By the looks of it, the synagogue wasn't affected, so that's a plus side," he said. "But otherwise, it doesn't seem to be looking good, especially coming up to Passover.

"There's a lot of things to do, and the last thing we need is everything blocked off and people burning down our things."

Ben says antisemitic attacks are "always in the back of my head".

"I think I can speak for the community when it's been in the back of all of our heads that something somewhere is going to pop off.

"Hopefully it stops here and we don't get any more damage."

Image source, Reuters

Another attack that leaves Jewish community fearfulpublished at 08:13 GMT 23 March

08:13 GMT 23 March

Lucy Manning
Special correspondent

This is another incident that will leave the British Jewish community increasingly unsettled and fearful with this arson attack in the heart of Jewish London.

The Community Security Trust, an organisation which helps protect the UK Jewish community, referenced recent attacks in Belgium and Holland where there were explosions in the last few weeks against Jewish buildings.

A synagogue in Liege in Belgium was damaged by an explosion as well as a Jewish school in Amsterdam and a synagogue in Rotterdam.

The Israeli foreign ministry said a new Islamist organisation had said it was responsible. Dutch officials said they were investigating whether Iran was involved.

But even before the war in Iran, the British Jewish community has faced increasing antisemitic attacks.

Two synagogue worshippers were killed when Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester was attacked last year on the Jewish festival of Yom Kippur.

In February, three men were jailed after an “Isis-inspired plot” in Manchester that police said could have been the "UK’s most deadly terror attack".

Two Iranian men were charged last week with alleged surveillance of Jewish synagogues and buildings in London last year.

That is in addition to antisemitism in schools, universities and the NHS that increasing numbers have faced which are also being investigated by the government in a number of reviews.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has called the incident a "hideous antisemitic attack on a charity".

"I visited Hatzola myself just a few months ago and saw the incredible work they do," he writes on X, adding that the Jewish community has been "targeted again and again".

“We must make sure that the UK is safe for our Jewish community and we must relentlessly work to eliminate the ancient scourge of antisemitism,” he says.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has also condemned the incident as "just despicable".

"Antisemitism has no place in our country. Our Jewish friends should be able to feel safe on Britain’s streets," he says.

Greg McKenzie
Reporting from Golders Green

Image source, Reuters

I’m here in Golders Green, where the aftermath of a shocking overnight incident is still unfolding.

At around 01:40 GMT, the London Fire Brigade was called to Highfield Road, where four ambulances belonging to Hatzola were found engulfed in flames.

Behind me, you can see the charred remains of one of those emergency vehicles — vital resources that serve this local community — now completely destroyed. Fire crews worked quickly to bring the blaze under control, but the damage had already been done.

Police have since cordoned off the area, and investigations are ongoing into what is being treated as a deliberate act of arson.

Residents say they were woken by loud bangs and the glow of flames lighting up the street.

This incident has raised serious concerns—not only about public safety, but about the targeting of life-saving services.

Image source, EPA

PM Keir Starmer has called the incident a "deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack".

He writes on X: "My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news.

"Antisemitism has no place in our society.

"Anyone with any information must come forward to the police."

Image source, Reuters

Local resident and councillor Shimon Ryde says the ambulances were parked next to a synagogue.

"It's very shocking, [but] it's not unexpected," Ryde says. "The Jewish community is very aware of the danger we live in."

Image source, Getty Images

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has called the arson attacks a "particularly sickening assault - not only on the Jewish community, but on the values we share as a society".

He describes the Hatzola ambulance service "extraordinary", adding that its "sole mission is to protect life, Jewish and non-Jewish alike".

"The targeting of Hatzola by people so committed to terror, hatred and the desecration of life is a most painful illustration of the ongoing battle between those who sanctify life and those who seek to destroy it," he adds in his post on X.

"At a time when Jewish communities around the world are facing a growing pattern of these violent attacks, we will meet this moment with shared resolve and stand together against hatred and intimidation."

Image source, PA Media

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has condemned the incident as "a sickening attack on Jewish ambulances", and urges anyone with information to come forward to the police.

"Thank goodness there appear to be no injuries,” he adds in his post on X. "We must stand together against antisemitic hatred."

Image source, Reuters

An arson attack on four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community ambulance service in north London is being treated as an "antisemitic hate crime", the Metropolitan Police says.

Four Hatzola ambulances were found on fire after the London Fire Brigade was called to Highfield Road in Golders Green at around 01:40 GMT.

The fire brigade said multiple cylinders in the vehicles exploded and caused windows to break in an nearby block of flats.

Six fire engines and about 40 firefighters were sent to contain the blaze.

Nearby houses were evacuated as a precaution, and around 30 people have been taken to a local shelter.

There were no injuries, police said, and all fires have been put out. There have been no arrests so far, they added.

• Hatzola is a large non-profit, volunteer Jewish organisation that provides people emergency medical response and transportation to hospitals for free