The Met police have been criticised after posters of missing Israelis were removed by officers amid fears of an “escalation” of tension within the community.

Officers said they received calls from residents after the posters were put up on shop shutters in north London.

The posters were reportedly placed on a chemist in Edgware after some employees posted anti-Israel statements on social media.

The comments have since been deleted and a staff member has apologised for the posts.

A photo circulating of the officers removing the posters has been shared on social media and has received backlash from the Jewish community.

It comes as Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has faced criticism over the handling of pro-Palestinian protests in London.

On Saturday, five people were charged after being arrested at the demonstrations.

There have been calls for more arrests to be made at the protest after repeated claims of antisemitic chants at the demonstrations.

Rowley said his officers are limited by legal definitions of extremism and that he would support a review into the definition and how it should be policed.

He said: "There is scope to be much sharper in how we deal with extremism within this country.

"The law was never designed to deal with extremism, there's a lot to do with terrorism and hate crime but we don't have a body of law that deals with extremism, and that is creating a gap."