British authorities arrested two men on Wednesday linked to what Prime Minister Keir Starmer called an “anti-Semitic arson attack,” while investigations look for possible ties to Iran.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the detention of two individuals, aged 45 and 47, during searches in north-west and central London. They are being investigated for arson with the intent to endanger life after four ambulances from Hatzolah, a volunteer emergency service based in the Golders Green area of north London, were set ablaze.
“The anti-Semitic arson incident in Golders Green is horrifying,” Starmer stated on social media in response to the incident.
A report from the Jewish Chronicle mentioned that a video circulating online shows Harakat Ahab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, an Iran-affiliated group previously responsible for attacks on Jewish institutions in Belgium and the Netherlands, claiming responsibility for the incident in London.
London’s Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Luke Williams noted, “We are aware of the claims from the group that took responsibility online. Establishing the credibility of this claim is our priority, though we can’t confirm it just yet.”
When asked about possible connections to Iran, the Metropolitan Police indicated that understanding the motive behind the attack is part of their ongoing investigation, but offered no further comments at the moment.
Meanwhile, Commander Helen Flanagan, who heads the counter-terrorism unit, remarked that their team has been working tirelessly since the troubling attack that led to the arrests on Wednesday morning.
She mentioned, “While arrests are significant development, we’re aware that at least three people were captured on CCTV footage of the incident. Community concerns are still prominent, and our investigation is very much active. We’re committed to tracking down everyone involved.”
Expressing his commitment to safety, Williams said, “I understand the community’s concerns are high. We will maintain targeted policing efforts in vulnerable areas throughout London in the coming days and weeks.”
“These efforts involve specialist officers and visible armed patrols meant to deter anyone wanting to harm our communities,” he added. “It’s important to stress that these measures are preventive and not in response to any specific threat. Collaboration with counter-terrorism units will continue as we support the investigation.”
