London: Police Investigate Antisemitic Attack & Ambulance Arson

London police are deploying over 250 additional officers as they investigate a suspected antisemitic attack in the British capital, following the arson of four ambulances operated by a Jewish community organization early Monday morning. A previously unknown group calling itself Ashab al-Yamin has claimed responsibility for the attack in a video posted to a Telegram channel.

The group is described as pro-Iranian by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist groups. The International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT) noted the claim of responsibility circulated on online accounts associated with pro-Iranian Shia militias. “Verifying this claim is a priority, but we are not in a position to confirm it at this time,” a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley later announced the deployment of 264 additional officers and increased visible armed patrols to protect the Jewish community. Ashab al-Yamin has reportedly claimed responsibility for other recent attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack as “deeply shocking and antisemitic” in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The four ambulances, belonging to Hatzola Northwest, a Jewish community medical emergency response service, were set ablaze in the Golders Green area of north London, a neighborhood with a significant Jewish population. Police reported no injuries in the fire, but nearby residences were evacuated as a precaution.

Police were alerted to the blaze around 01:45 GMT after receiving reports of a fire in the area. “We are examining CCTV footage and are aware of videos circulating online. At this early stage, we believe we are looking for three suspects,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

The London Fire Brigade mobilized six fire engines and approximately forty firefighters to extinguish the blaze, which was under control by 03:00 GMT. Several containers within the vehicles exploded, causing windows to shatter in a neighboring apartment building.

Members of the local Jewish community expressed concern, but not surprise, at the incident. “It’s recurrent, but what surprises me is that they attacked ambulances,” Adam Waters, 36, an employee of a Jewish organization, told AFP.

The United Kingdom has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents in recent years, according to data from several organizations and the government. The Community Security Trust reported 3,700 antisemitic acts in the UK in 2025, a 4% increase from the previous year and the second-highest annual total ever recorded by the organization, which is responsible for protecting Jewish community sites.