Ninth person arrested over arson attack on Jewish community ambulances

Counter-terrorism police have arrested a ninth person in connection with an arson attack on four ambulances belonging to a Jewish volunteer emergency service in north London.

The 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London said.

Four ambulances belonging to the Hatzola emergency service were torched while they were parked near a synagogue in Golders Green in March.

The fire caused gas canisters inside the ambulances to explode, resulting in around £1m of damage.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of CTP London, said: "The attack on the Hatzola ambulances caused considerable community concern and we have been working continuously to investigate this incident.

"Our aim is to arrest and charge all those responsible for the arson attacks and other incidents targeted at Jewish, Israeli and Iranian sites in recent weeks.

"Counter-terrorism officers are also working closely with our Metropolitan Police colleagues to provide protective security advice and support to various organisations, community venues and businesses."

Three men and a youth have previously appeared in court accused of destroying the ambulances.

Antisemitic attacks in London

It comes after a spate of antisemitic attacks in London.

A double stabbing in Golders Green on 29 April saw two Jewish men, Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Ben Baila, 76, also known as Norman Shine, taken to hospital.

The alleged attacker, Essa Suleiman, 45, is also accused of attempting to murder his friend of 20 years, Ishmail Hussein, in a knife attack at Hussein's flat in Southwark, earlier the same day.

On 18 April, a teenage boy smashed the window of Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow before lighting a bottle and throwing it inside, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. A 17-year-old admitted arson not endangering life.

Read more from Sky News:
Mother and ex-boyfriend jailed over abuse and death of young son
Former Lostprophets singer given 'last chance' before prison stabbing

The day before, a former Jewish charity building was attacked in Hendon, Barnet, where a plastic bag later found to contain three bottles of fluid was set alight.

Attempted arson attacks were carried out at Finchley Reform Synagogue, and later outside the offices of a Persian media company, both in northwest London, on 15 April.

Bottles, one thought to contain petrol, were placed near the synagogue in Fallow Court Avenue, Finchley.

The Metropolitan Police has announced it will deploy a community protection team of 100 extra officers to help safeguard the Jewish community.

The force said the new team will initially be "primarily focused on protecting the Jewish community, which faces some of the highest levels of hate crime alongside significant terrorist and hostile state threats".

(c) Sky News 2026: Ninth person arrested over arson attack on Jewish community ambulances