Two young men and a 17-year-old boy have been remanded in custody after appearing in court over an arson attack on Jewish volunteer ambulances in Golders Green.<\/p>\n
A further arrest in connection with the incident was made at the court, the Crown Prosecution Service said.<\/p>\n
Four ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service, were destroyed in the early hours of 23 March in north London.<\/p>\n
Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19, both British nationals from Leyton, were on Friday charged with arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.<\/p>\n
A 17-year-old boy, a dual British and Pakistani national from Walthamstow, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also charged with the same offence.<\/p>\n
![\"Destroyed](\"https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/26\/03\/768x432\/skynews-golders-green-arson-attack_7201918.jpg?20260324150720\")
\n <\/div>\n Destroyed ambulances after being targeted in the early hours of 23 March. Pic: Cover Images\/AP
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The group, who were all arrested on Wednesday at different locations in east London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Prosecutor Emma Harraway told the court: “There is significant evidence that this was a premeditated and targeted attack against the Jewish community.”<\/p>\n
The defendants spoke only to confirm their personal details. As Iqbal was taken to the cells, someone in the public gallery said: “Take care son, yeah.”<\/p>\n
![\"Court](\"https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skynews-iqbal-khan-westminster_7210829.jpg?20260404145422\")
\n <\/div>\n Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Hamza Iqbal (left), 20, Rehan Khan (right), 19, alongside a dock officer, appearing at Westminster
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Iqbal and Khan were remanded in custody, while the 17-year-old will be held in youth detention accommodation. They are all due to appear at the Old Bailey on 24 April.<\/p>\n
The court heard prosecutors do not yet know the motivation for the alleged attack.<\/p>\n
The Metropolitan Police said the additional arrest took place after officers attending the hearing “recognised the man as being involved in the arson attack”.<\/p>\n
He was arrested for arson with intent to endanger life and has been taken into custody.<\/p>\n
The case is not being treated as terrorism but Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said its detectives are leading the investigation due to “the circumstances of the incident”.<\/p>\n
When the four ambulances were set on fire, the resulting blaze caused gas canisters stored in the vehicles to explode, and nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.<\/p>\n
![\"Pic:](\"https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/26\/03\/768x432\/skynews-golders-green-hatzola_7201132.jpg?20260323143747\")
\n <\/div>\n Pic: AP
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Residents describe being woken by the noise, with the force of the explosions blowing out windows, including those of the nearby synagogue.<\/p>\n
The government loaned the charity four ambulances to replace those that were destroyed, and has said it would cover the cost of new vehicles.<\/p>\n
An appeal has raised more than \u00a33.2m<\/a><\/strong> to find new, safer premises for the Hatzola ambulance service in Golders Green.<\/p>\n Read more from Sky News: Separately, two men aged 45 and 47, arrested last Wednesday, have both been released on bail until later in April.<\/p>\n Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in northwest London, said a “bespoke policing plan” has been deployed at vulnerable areas across London, including Golders Green.<\/p>\n He added: “This has involved a significant number of additional officers on the ground. It is also being supported by highly visible armed police patrols to serve as a deterrent to anyone seeking to cause our communities harm.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Look to faith this Easter, says Starmer<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Ambulances](\"https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/26\/03\/768x432\/skynews-london-ambulance-service_7203498.jpg?20260326104327\")
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\n Ambulances to replace those destroyed in Golders Green. Pic: PA
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