- Grant will enable Hatzola charity to buy four new electric
ambulances
- Ambulance fleet will be permanent replacements for those
destroyed in attack on 23 March and following the horrific
antisemitic attack in Golders Green yesterday
- They will replace on-loan vehicles provided by the London
Ambulance Service
The government will provide a cash grant so that the Hatzola
charity can buy top-of-the range electric ambulances replacing
their fleet destroyed in an antisemitic arson attack.
New high-tech ambulances will be able to serve the local
community which has been a victim of repeated appalling hate
attacks in recent months and follows the latest utterly appalling
stabbings in Golders Green yesterday.
Hatzola will be given a cash grant as soon as possible to
permanently replace the four loaned to the Jewish charity by the
London Ambulance Service.
Health and Social Care Secretary said:
We have seen deplorable acts of evil against Golders Green's
Jewish Community which are part of a pattern of rising
antisemitic attacks.
Jewish people should not have to live in fear of attack in
Britain today or suffer any further than the appalling harm that
has already been caused as a result. But simple words are not
enough and we need to take action.
The provision of these ambulances will not stem the anguish
Jewish people are feeling, but it is one way that this government
can stand with its Jewish communities today.
Hatzola and its volunteers again showed they were the very best
of us in the face of such hatred in their swift response to
yesterday's attacks. The new high tech fleet will allow Hatzola's
paramedics to continue their lifesaving work, as they continue to
care for and support the wider community.
Every one of us must work to root out the hatred and antisemitism
that is poisoning Britain. Only then will all of our Jewish
community will be safe.
The direct grant from the Department for Health and Social care
to cover the full costs of the four new electric ambulances – or
whichever ambulances the charity decides would best meet their
needs - will be processed as soon as possible.
The vehicles are lighter and include more accessible features for
crews to care patients. This includes a powered trolley bed
system, a powered carry chair and an integrated scanning system
that scans the vehicle and informs the crews whether the
ambulance is fully stocked after each patient they've treated.
The London Ambulance Service will continue its loan of
replacement ambulances until the new ones are ready.
Jason Killens KAM, Chief Executive of London Ambulance Service,
said:
We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and with our
ambulance colleagues at Hatzola during this difficult time.
We remain committed to supporting Hatzola through the loan of
ambulances for as long as they are needed to help deliver
emergency care and save lives.
We are proud to work alongside them in serving all of London's
communities.
The new ambulances add to the further £25 million being invested
into increased police patrols and protective security to keep our
Jewish communities safe.
It brings the total investment to £59 million this year – the
largest investment a government has made in protecting Jewish
communities in history.
The combined funding will help provide:
- Dedicated ambulances with the government, charities and
communities working together
- Increasing police presence and patrols in Jewish communities;
- Protective security in synagogues, schools and community
centres;
The government has also announced it will fast track legislation
in the coming weeks to provide the powers to go after individuals
and groups acting on behalf of state-sponsored organisations.
That means anyone acting as a proxy of a state-sponsored group
can be investigated and prosecuted under the National Security
Act – just as we would deal with foreign intelligence services.
