Three charged after alleged Golders Green arson attack on Jewish community ambulances

Three people have been charged following an alleged arson attack on Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green.

Rehan Khan, 19, and Hamza Iqbal, 20, both British nationals from Leyton, and a 17-year-old boy who is a dual British and Pakistani national from Walthamstow, have been charged with arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered, police said.

They are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

All three were all arrested on April 1 at different locations as part of a Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) investigation.

Four ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service which operates in the Golders Green area, were set on fire in the early hours of March 23.

Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation, said: “Since this appalling attack last week, we have been working continuously to investigate and identify those responsible.

The investigation has now reached a stage where three people have been charged and they will now appear in court.”
Police said the incident has not been declared as terrorism.

Counter-terror police are still leading the investigation due to “the circumstances of the incident”.

Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in North West London said: "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.

This activity is ongoing and will continue over the coming days and weeks and includes specialist officers and capability being deployed alongside local officers.

"It is also being supported by highly visible armed police patrols to serve as a deterrent to anyone seeking to cause our communities harm."
Two men arrested on March 25 have been released on bail until late April.

Both men, aged 45 and 47, are British.