Sir Mark Rowley has called for changes in the law around policing extremism as he said officers could not be expected to “enforce taste and decency”.

In the Metropolitan Police commissioner’s first comments following criticism of officers’ failure to intervene when pro-Palestine protesters chanted “jihad”, Sir Mark warned there were gaps in the law that meant extremist groups were able to propagate “some pretty toxic messages”.

He said the Met had been “absolutely ruthless” about anyone who breached the law, revealing officers had made 34 arrests and were pursuing 22 individuals caught on camera or CCTV and 150 cases of “deeply concerning” social media posts. He added: “We are accountable for the law. We cannot enforce taste or decency but we can enforce the law.”

He disclosed that he had discussed flaws in the law at a meeting on Monday with Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, her ministers, officials and the Community Security Trust, which deals with the safety of Jewish people.

However, Downing Street said there were no plans to change the law, arguing that police already had extensive powers “in this space”.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We will continue to discuss with them so there is clarity and agreement about how they can be deployed on the ground.”