Two men suspected of being connected with the arson attack on four ambulances outside the Machzike Hadath synagogue in London were arrested on Wednesday. Counterterrorism officials in the United Kingdom apprehended two men, ages 45 and 47, “on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.”
The attack occurred early Monday morning in London’s largest Jewish community in Golders Green at a Jewish community rescue service. The attack was being investigated as an “antisemitic hate crime.” The two men remained in police custody by the London Metropolitan Police Department. Authorities searched two addresses believed to be where each man was staying.
“We have been working around the clock since this appalling attack took place, and this has led to these arrests being made this morning,” said Helen Flanagan, commander of the head of counterterrorism policing in London.
“This appears to be an important breakthrough in the investigation, but we’re also mindful that CCTV footage of the incident suggests there were at least three people involved,” Flanagan said. “We fully recognise the local community will still be concerned and our investigation very much remains active, and we will continue to work to identify and seek to arrest all of those who may have been involved.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams sought to ease concerns over any community stress associated with the investigation. He urged people to remain calm and not worry about the larger-than-normal police presence in certain areas due to the investigation.
ARSON ATTACK ON JEWISH COMMUNITY AMBULANCE SERVICE BEING INVESTIGATED AS HATE CRIME
“We know that community concerns remain heightened and I want to reassure the community that an enhanced, bespoke policing plan and activity, which is particularly focused around vulnerable areas right across London, will continue over coming days and weeks,” Williams said.
“This includes specialist officers and capability being deployed alongside local officers to help protect certain locations and will also involve highly visible armed police patrols to serve as a deterrent to anyone seeking to cause our communities harm,” he said. “I must stress that these are precautionary and not in response to any specific threat, and we continue to work alongside our colleagues in Counter Terrorism policing to support their investigation.”
