Monday 23 / March / 2026
London emergency services who were called to reports of a fire on Monday morning found four vehicles belonging to a the Jewish Community Ambulance service damaged.
The incident, which sparked panic after several explosions were heard, comes amid a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK since the outbreak of the Gaza War in late 2023.
What do we know about the ambulance fires?
Police and fire crews were called to the scene in Golders Green, a London neighborhood with a large Jewish population, at about 1:45 a.m. local time.
The London Fire Brigade said cylinders on the ambulances exploded, shattering windows in a nearby residential building, though no injuries were reported.
London's Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident was being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.
Superintendent Sarah Jackson said the incident would cause "a great deal of community concern" as officers continue urgent inquiries and increase patrols in the area.
"We are in the process of examining CCTV and are aware of online footage. We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage." "There have been no arrests yet, and we would urge anyone with information to please contact us as soon as possible – you can do so anonymously if you wish.
"We will be engaging with faith leaders and carrying out additional patrols in the local area as we continue our investigation to provide reassurance and a highly visible presence."
Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution, and road closures remained in place while investigations continue.
Shomrim, which operates a neighbourhood watch in the Golders Green area, reassured the community about the explosions, saying they "were caused by oxygen tanks, not a bomb or explosive device."
The ambulances are operated by Hatzola, a volunteer organisation providing free emergency medical care in areas with large Jewish communities.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the torching of the vehicles was a "deeply shocking antisemitic attack."
"My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news," said Starmer. "Antisemitism has no place in our society."
How much have antisemitic incidents increased in the UK?
Antisemitic incidents reported across the UK have soared since late 2023, according to the Community Security Trust, which works to protect the Jewish community.
The group said 3,700 incidents were recorded in 2025, up from 1,662 in 2022.
Last October, an attacker drove his car into people outside a Manchester synagogue on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, and then stabbed a person to death. Another person who was accidentally shot by police died during the attack.
