Fourth suspect arrested over Jewish charity ambulance arson attack

Fourth suspect arrested over Jewish charity ambulance arson attack

A new arrest was made in the case involving Jewish charity ambulances in north London, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The suspect was detained at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning, with police escorting him from the premises. The prosecution revealed that four individuals were implicated in the incident, though three charged suspects appeared before the court that day and were placed in custody. These include two British men, Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19, as well as a 17-year-old boy with dual British-Pakistani heritage. All three face charges of arson with intent to damage property and reckless endangerment of life.

The ambulances belonging to Hatzola were torched in the car park of a synagogue in Golders Green on the early hours of 23 March, resulting in damage estimated at nearly £1 million. Prosecutors emphasized the attack was a deliberate strike targeting the Jewish community. The three suspects in court wore grey tracksuits and only provided their names and addresses. Family members attended the proceedings, with Iqbal and Khan linked to Leyton and the unnamed teenager from Walthamstow. They were arrested on Wednesday at three separate locations in east London.

Two men, aged 45 and 47, were detained earlier in the case but released on bail pending further inquiry. Investigators are exploring whether an Iranian-backed group claimed responsibility for the attack. Counter-terror police lead the probe, though the Metropolitan Police clarified the incident has not yet been classified as terrorism. Cdr Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, stated:

“Since this appalling attack last week, we have been working continuously to investigate and identify those responsible.” She highlighted the “incredible” support from the local community following the incident.

Police have increased patrols in Jewish-majority areas as a precaution, as Det Ch Sup Luke Williams noted:

“We know that local community concerns continue to remain high – particularly for our Jewish communities in the Passover festival period.” He added that the extra officers are “precautionary measures and not in response to any specific threat.”

The three charged suspects are set to appear at the Old Bailey on 24 April.