Man arrested over Jewish ambulance arson attack released on bail

A man arrested over an arson attack on Jewish charity-owned ambulances in north London last month has been released on bail, the Metropolitan Police has said.

The 19-year-old was arrested on 4 April after he was recognised by officers at Westminster Magistrates' Court, where he was attending a hearing involving three other suspects. He has been bailed to a date in May.

Two men, aged 45 and 47, who were arrested days after the arson attack have been released with no further action, the Met said on Monday.

Three suspects - Hamza Iqbal, 20, Rehan Khan, 19 and a 17-year-old boy - were charged with arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered on 3 April.

Four ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service, were set alight in the early hours of 23 March near a synagogue in Golders Green

Explosions from cylinders on the ⁠vehicles shattered windows of nearby buildings, but no injuries were reported.

CCTV from the scene of the incident showed three men running away after the ambulances were set on fire.

Iqbal and Khan are both British nationals from Leyton, and the 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is a dual British and Pakistani national from Walthamstow.

During their hearing earlier this month, prosecutors said there was strong evidence to suggest the attack was a "premeditated and targeted attack against the Jewish community".

Prosecutors also said investigators were considering whether an Iranian-backed group who claimed responsibility for the attack had been involved.

Counter-terror police are leading the investigation, but it is not being treated as terrorism at this stage.

They were remanded into custody pending a further court hearing.

After the attack, police patrols were stepped up in areas with large Jewish communities.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the incident at the time as a "deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack".

Cdr Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, previously said the support from the local community since the attack took place had been "incredible".