Boy, 17, among new arrests over suspected arson attack on Jewish charity ambulances

Counter-terrorism police have arrested two men and a boy in connection with a suspected arson attack last week on ambulances run by a Jewish charity in Golders Green, north London.The three people – a 19-year-old man, a 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy – were all arrested early on Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police said.Their separate homes in East London were being searched by officers on Wednesday afternoon. The two older men were British nationals and the boy was a dual British and Pakistani citizen, the Met said.All three were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life and remain in police custody.The alleged arson attack on four ambulances occurred at Highfield Road in Golders Green, near the Machzike Hadath synagogue, in the early hours of 23 March.The vehicles were operated by Hatzola Northwest, a Jewish charity run by volunteers to provide free medical transport and emergency response to the community in north London.Two men, aged 47 and 45, who were previously arrested over the attack were released on bail last Thursday, pending further enquiries.Cmdr Helen Flanagan, the Met’s head of counter-terrorism policing, who is leading the investigation, said: “We know concern among the Jewish community remains high, but I hope these arrests show that we are doing everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.“The support we had from the local community since this attack took place has been incredible, and we will continue to work closely with local policing colleagues to do everything we can to keep the public safe.”Last week Flanagan said the Met was “mindful that CCTV footage of the incident suggests there were at least three people involved”.The incident has not been declared as terrorism, but due to the circumstances the investigation is being led by counter-terrorism detectives. The Met previously said the incident was being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.DCS Luke Williams, who leads policing in north-west London, said: “We know local community concern continues to remain high – particularly for our Jewish communities as they now enter the Passover festival period. Since the arson attack, we have put in place an enhanced, bespoke policing plan, which has been focused around vulnerable areas not only in Golders Green, but right across London. This has involved a significant number of officers on the ground, with the aim of protecting communities, disrupting offenders, and detecting crime.”