Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley speech to Jewish community over Golders Green antisemitic arson attack on ambulances in full as Iran-aligned terror group claims responsibility

An Iran-aligned terror group has claimed responsibility for the arson attack on Jewish ambulances in north London early today, Monday, March 23 2026.

The SITE Intelligence monitoring service said the group called the Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand had said it carried out the attack near a synagogue in Golders Green.

SITE said the group was behind fires in Belgium, Greece and the Netherlands.

Tonight Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley attend the Community Security Trust Annual Dinner in London.

He told the Jewish group the dinner was always an important opportunity to come together, but this year, and especially at this time, it carried particular significance.

He said: "Britain’s Jewish community has in recent years been increasingly targeted by individuals, groups and hostile states, intent on spreading fear, hate, and harm. This volatile mix is at the front of my mind given events of today.

"Together we face the combined challenges of state threats, terrorism, the destabilising impact of renewed military action in a region that has already seen two and half years of sustained conflict and a febrile atmosphere of tension between communities here at home.

"The rapid growth in recent years of Iranian state threats is grave: hostile state surveillance activity, twenty disrupted plots, and recent attempted attacks on the Iranian diaspora. None of this is isolated. It is part of a rapidly shifting threat landscape.

"It is too early for me to attribute last night’s attack in Golders Green to the Iranian state – that is rightly for the counter terrorism investigation to determine – but whoever was responsible, the impact is serious.

"We believe three suspects were involved and we are pursuing all lines of enquiry, including an online claim of responsibility by an Islamist group who have claimed other attacks across Europe and have potential Iranian state links.

"I want to acknowledge the extraordinary speed and professionalism of local volunteers who responded within minutes, CST teams, synagogue security and Hatzolah staff.

"Their actions alongside my officers last night quite literally protected lives. And let us be clear about what was targeted: a volunteer ambulance service that serves everyone, of every background. An attack on Hatzolah is not only an attack on the Jewish community but an attack on all of us.

"There is no 'us and them'. There is only an attack on a British community.

"You have heard of increased patrols and vigilance - let me be precise about what this means today.

The period since 7th October 2023 has seen greater policing presence in Jewish communities than ever before. Our aim has always been to protect, to be visible, to offer reassurance and to keep people safe. With Passover approaching and conscious of the events this morning, my officers will be working to protect your community, disrupt offenders and detect crime.

"From today you will see:

• Additional highly visible firearms patrols. These officers will be visible and serve as a protective deterrent to those who wish to do our community’s harm. These will be further bolstered by an augmentation of the number of taser officers.

• An additional 264 officers alongside existing neighbourhood officers to deploy to vulnerable locations to protect, engage, explain our policing plan, listen and reassure. Our intent is to reduce the threat, target the offenders, and stop further attacks. • Operation Servator deployments, uniformed and plain clothes, across key sites and high footfall areas designed to disrupt hostile terrorist or state activity before it takes place. These consist of behaviour detection officers who at times will be in plain clothes supported by uniformed officers looking out for suspicious behaviour. • We will be utilising drones, mounted branch and all our specialist asset in the most affected areas. • A strengthened protective security plan for Jewish schools, synagogues and community centres ahead of Passover that will continue to be monitored.

• Joint patrols with CST and other security partners, recognising CST’s unparalleled community intelligence network and volunteer capability.

• Daily calls with Jewish community representatives to ensure rapid intelligence flow.

• Joint street briefings for security teams so they know exactly what to look for and how to work seamlessly with us.

"CST’s partnership is fundamental to this. Your reach, your insight and your information network are unmatched. We do not seek to replicate them. Our aim is to combine your strengths with ours to provide the most robust protection we can.

"I know many across your community will be gathering in the coming days around the Passover table to discuss this attack and how it feels as British Jews in 2026.

"Let me close with three simple messages.

"First: the threat is serious and we fully understand its weight.

"Second: we are responding with the highest level of sustained operational commitment.

"Third: we stand with you, not just in words, but in visible, daily action.

"CST and the Met have worked together for many years. But I believe that partnership is now stronger than it has ever been, and it will matter more than ever in the months ahead.

"Thank you for everything you do, and for the trust you place in us.

"We will continue to earn it."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as “a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack,” adding: “My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news. Antisemitism has no place in our society.”

Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) detectives investigating the arson attack have set up an online portal for members of the public to share any video footage they have before, during or after the incident.

Although it has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage, due to the circumstances of the incident and specialist capability within CTP, officers from CTP London are leading the investigation.

Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London said: “We’re aware this attack has caused a great amount of concern amongst the Jewish and wider community in the area, but I want to reassure the public that we have officers working around the clock to identify those responsible.

“We’ve already gathered a large amount of CCTV footage from the local area and taken a number of statements from witnesses. But we know local people may also have footage or information that could be relevant, so we would urge anyone who may have information that could help with our investigation to get in touch.

“We will continue to work closely with our frontline policing colleagues in the area and we thank the local community for their ongoing support as we continue with this investigation.”

Analysis of CCTV footage shows three people in hoods pouring an accelerant onto the vehicles parked in Highfield Road, Golders Green, at 1:45am this morning before igniting them and fleeing.

Hours of CCTV footage is being analysed by specialist officers to trace the suspects movements and specialist forensic officers have been sent to the scene to gather evidence.

At this early stage of the investigation, there have been no arrests. Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 providing the reference 415 of 23 March. To remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Anyone with any video or audio footage that may be useful to the investigation is asked to send it to www.ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk

After the attack, nearby houses have been evacuated as a precaution and road closures remain in place. No injuries have been reported and all the fires have been put out.

We are aware of reports of explosions - this is believed to be linked to gas cannisters onboard the ambulances.

Superintendent Sarah Jackson, who leads policing in the local area said: “We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern and officers remain on scene to carry out urgent enquiries. 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.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams this morning made a statement about the attack.

He said: "I want to provide an update on a shocking incident overnight and the progress of the police investigation.

"At around 1:45am today we were called by the London Fire Brigade to reports of a fire on Highfield Road, Golders Green.

"We attended the scene where four ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service run by members of the Jewish community, were on fire. The attack occurred in the car park of a local Synagogue, where Hatzola’s vehicles for this area are based.

"Explosions were heard as oxygen canisters on board the ambulances exploded.

"Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution, with 34 residents displaced, and road closures put in place. Thankfully no injuries were reported and all of the fires were safely put out.

"Four ambulances have been destroyed but we understand the service remains fully operational and able to respond to emergencies.

"We were able to get local residents back into their homes relatively quickly and I thank them for their patience and understanding.

"This arson attack is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime. This is a devastating incident for our Jewish communities and we have launched an immediate investigation to identify those responsible.

"Our officers remain on scene to carry out urgent enquiries and to gather CCTV footage and other evidence.

"We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage. CCTV footage appears to show three people in hoods pouring an accelerant onto the vehicles before igniting them and fleeing.

"While this has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage, the investigation is now being led by Counter Terrorism Policing with all the specialist expertise they bring, and all lines of enquiry remain open.

"We are aware of an online claim from a group taking responsibility for this attack. Establishing the authenticity and accuracy of this claim will be a priority for the investigation team, but it is not something we can confirm at this point.

"There have been no arrests at this early stage, and we would urge anyone with information to please contact us as soon as possible - you can do so anonymously if you wish.

"We have already spoken to local community and faith leaders and will continue that work today. A specific policing plan focussed on key community locations across the area is underway and will continue beyond the coming days as we move towards Passover in early April.

"This attack comes at a time when fears are already heightened given global events and recent attacks targeting Jewish communities in other parts of Europe.

"The Met Police stands shoulder to shoulder with our partners and communities. Together we take a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime.

"We are stepping up our support to Jewish communities across London to engage, offer reassurance and take practical action to protect people and property.

"If you have any information about what happened in Golders Green please come forward and call police on 101 providing the reference 415 of 23 March. To remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."