An 18-year-old has recently been charged as the fourth individual linked to an arson attack targeting four Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green. This alarming incident, believed to be an anti-Semitic hate crime, unfolded in the early hours of March 23 outside a synagogue in north-west London.
Judex Atshatshi, a British national residing in Dagenham, faces charges of arson with recklessness regarding the potential endangerment of lives. Atshatshi was apprehended on April 16 following coordinated efforts by counter-terrorism detectives who visited two locations in east London. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, April 18.
In connection with the case, another 18-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. This individual has since been released on bail, with a court date set for July.
Atshatshi, a British national of Dagenham, was arrested on April 16 after counter terrorism detectives attended two addresses in east London.
The incident in north-west London in the early hours of March 23 saw the vehicles set on fire outside a synagogue in a suspected anti-Semitic hate crime.
Another 18-year-old arrested on the same day on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life has been released on bail to a date in July.
Three people have previously been charged in connection with the incident and were remanded in custody earlier this month.
Two British men, Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19, from Leyton, east London; and a 17-year-old boy, of dual British-Pakistani nationality, from Walthamstow were charged with one count of arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered. They will next appear at the Old Bailey on Friday, April 24.
Four ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service operating in the Golders Green area of north-west London, were set on fire (pictured) in the early hours of March 23
It caused gas canisters stored in the vehicles (pictured, in the aftermath) to explode
Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s special crime and counter terrorism division, said: ‘We have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command as it carried out its investigation.
‘We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are active and that they have the right to a fair trial.
‘It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
Six fire engines and 40 firefighters rushed to Highfield Road, near the Mchzike Hadath synagogue, at about 1.45am on March 23 following the incident. No one was injured.
The firebombing caused gas canisters in the ambulances, from Hatzola, a volunteer-led service, to explode.
Police said earlier this month the incident was not ‘at this stage’ declared as terrorism – but circumstances meant counter terror detectives have been leading the probe.
CCTV footage showed three hooded figures apparently pouring accelerant on the ambulances and setting them on fire.
The head of the Metropolitan Police said after the attack the force was investigating whether an Islamist group with possible Iranian state links was behind the arson.
Investigators were looking into claims by a suspected Iran-backed group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia that it had been behind the attack.
A video was posted on Telegram featuring a map of the location where the ambulances were kept and footage of them on fire.
Gas canisters kept in the ambulances exploded after they were set alight, with nearby homes evacuated as a precaution.
The force of the blasts caused windows to break in a nearby block of flats.
Pictured: Three hooded suspects approach the vehicles before they are set alight
The incident in north-west London in the early hours of March 23 saw the vehicles set on fire outside a synagogue. Pictured: The aftermath
The synagogue, which is one of the oldest in Europe, had its roof damaged and stained glass windows smashed in the fire.
The volunteer-run Jewish organisation Hatzola, founded in 1979, provides free emergency medical response and transportation to hospitals.
In the wake of the arson, the Met deployed an additional 264 officers as well as specialist teams including firearms, the mounted branch and drones, to boost security for Jewish communities in the run up to Passover.
Condemning the ‘deeply shocking’ attack, Sir Keir Starmer said in the aftermath: ‘My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news.
‘Antisemitism has no place in our society. Anyone with any information must come forward to the police.’
Gideon Falter, chief executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: ‘We are absolutely heartbroken that this is how low Britain has sunk.
‘This horrific act truly plumbs new depths.’
Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced the four ambulances would be replaced by vehicles from the London Ambulance Service.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow
