A synagogue in Golders Green had been “staked out” by suspicious characters for weeks prior to the ambulance arson attack on Monday morning.
Local volunteers at the Orthodox Machzike Hadath Synagogue in Highfield Road had reported suspicious-looking people in the area, prompting an increase in security.
Just weeks after suspicions were raised, four ambulances operated by a Jewish volunteer force were set alight at around 1.30am on Monday, adjacent to the synagogue.
Jack Taub, a member of the leadership team at the synagogue, told The Telegraph that the site had been “staked out” in recent weeks.
“We have noticed people staking out at the synagogue. We upped a lot of the security, but it was a calculated attack.”
Golders Green in North London, which hosts one of the UK’s largest Jewish communities, has been on alert following the October 7 attack on Israel.
Several shops and Jewish businesses in the area have security and almost all premises have CCTV.
Footage from the arson attack showed three hooded men approaching the Hatzola ambulances with a jerry can, believed to contain a flammable accelerant.
Hatzola, which was established in 1979, provides free medical transportation and emergency response to those living in North London.
In the space of 20 seconds, the ambulances were ablaze, with oxygen canisters onboard the ambulances triggering a number of explosions. Windows in nearby homes were blown out and surrounding streets were still scattered with debris and ash on Monday afternoon.
The incident, which has possible Iranian state links, is being treated as a hate crime at this stage. Armed patrols have been deployed across the area.
There were no injuries, but many members of the Jewish community have been left shaken by the attack.
Mothers Debbie Paster and Miriam Landau served refreshments to emergency services from Golders Green Road as investigations got underway.
Mrs Paster said: “It was a matter of when not if. This act was as low as you can get. It’s inhumane to attack an ambulance service.”
She added that she returned from Israel six days ago and felt safer there “with rockets overhead” than in Golders Green.
Security has become part of everyday life, she says.
Donny, 27, lives in the area with his family. His parents’ home, located close to the scene, was covered in ash and debris from the fire.
He said: “There’s a tangible feeling that this antisemitism has actually arrived on our doorstep.
“I’m not here to comment on who’s right or wrong but one person’s actions somewhere else should not mean this for us here.”
The scene was visited by politicians Suella Braverman, Chris Philp, Priti Patel, and Health Secretary Wes Streeting over the course of the day.
Mr Streeting vowed to replace the destroyed ambulance vehicles, belonging to the volunteer force Hatzola, with NHS ambulances.
Though the Prime Minister did not attend to gathering crowds in Golders Green, Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack, calling it “horrific.”
London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said the incident was “a cowardly attack on the Jewish community.”
Investigations are still underway to locate the three suspects.
