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Ambulances Destroyed in Suspected Antisemitic Attack
This principle of consent and operational integrity stands in stark contrast to a violent act of negation against a critical community service in North London. In the early hours of Monday, March 23, 2026, four ambulances belonging to the Jewish volunteer emergency service Hatzola Northwest were deliberately set on fire. The Metropolitan Police, who are treating the incident as an antisemitic hate crime, said the vehicles were targeted in a car park on Highfield Road, Golders Green, adjacent to a synagogue.
According to the London Fire Brigade, which sent six fire engines and around 40 firefighters to the scene, multiple cylinders on the ambulances exploded, believed to be linked to gas canisters on board. The force of the explosions shattered windows in a nearby block of flats, leading to the precautionary evacuation of neighbouring houses. No injuries were initially reported.
Superintendent Sarah Jackson of the Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers, who are carrying out urgent inquiries, believe they are looking for three suspects. The force is examining CCTV and is aware of online footage of the incident. Security camera footage shared with CNN reportedly showed three masked individuals approaching an ambulance and setting it alight. No arrests have been made at this time.
The attack has devastated a vital community resource. Hatzola Northwest, established in 1979, is a 24/7 non-profit volunteer ambulance service operating within a 2.5-mile radius of its base in NW11. Staffed by 61 fully qualified volunteer medics, it responds to over 5,000 calls a year, aiming to reach the scene in under five minutes. The organisation, which is wholly funded by charitable donations, had a fleet of six ambulances; four were destroyed in the fire. Prime Minister Boris Johnson had visited its Golders Green operational base in January 2022. A Care Quality Commission report in November 2022 rated the Hatzola Northwest Trust as “requires improvement” due to issues with infection control and governance, though it also noted sufficient staff, good training, and effective care.
Community Reeling in a Neighbourhood of Heightened Fear
The location of the attack has sent profound shockwaves through an area with a large and established Jewish community. Golders Green North, according to 2021 census data, has the largest concentration of Jewish people in London, with 53.1% of residents identifying as Jewish. The area, sometimes described as “Little Israel” for its many synagogues, schools, and kosher restaurants, is now grappling with heightened anxiety.
Golders Green ward councillor Dean Cohen described the arson as “particularly chilling,” stating it would “send shockwaves through our community at a time of already heightened fears over antisemitism in the UK.” The neighbourhood watch organisation Shomrim, which operates in the area and works to protect the Jewish community, condemned the attack and is assisting police.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of a severe and sustained increase in antisemitic incidents across the UK. The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity that protects British Jews, recorded 3,700 antisemitic incidents in 2025, a sharp rise from 1,662 in 2022. Following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East in October 2023, the Metropolitan Police reported a 1,350% increase in antisemitic offences in London across a single fortnight compared to the previous year. Incidents have ranged from online threats and vandalism to physical violence, including a fatal terrorist attack outside a Manchester synagogue in October 2025.
The history of British Jews includes periods of persecution dating back to the 11th century, including massacres and expulsion in the Medieval era. Organisations like the CST and Shomrim now play a vital role in community security, providing training, incident reporting, and liaison with law enforcement.
Superintendent Jackson said the Metropolitan Police would be engaging with faith leaders and conducting additional patrols in the area to provide reassurance as the investigation continues.
