Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
There is a photo being shared online of Met officers removing posters of those kidnapped in Israel from the shutters of a shop in Edgware.
We recognise why people are concerned and want an explanation. Below is what we know about what led to the officers doing what they did.
The posters were put up late on Saturday night. We received at least two calls about it from local residents.
They believed the posters were put on these specific shutters as a retaliation for comments about the conflict between Israel and Hamas that were made on social media by a person associated with the business.
It appears print outs of those comments may also have been put up next to the posters.
Both people who reported the posters to us were concerned that it would escalate an already tense situation. Officers went to the shop and acting in good faith they removed the posters in an effort to prevent any such escalation.
The removal of these posters elsewhere in London has caused anger and upset in recent weeks. We know a photo of our officers doing the same will cause further concern, particularly for anyone not aware of the full facts reported to us at the time.
We have no wish to limit the rights of anyone to protest or to raise awareness of the plight of those kidnapped and the terrible impact on their families.
But we do have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to stop issues escalating and to avoid any further increase in community tension. On this occasion, that is what officers were trying to do.
We’re in contact with local partners, community representatives and those directly involved in this incident. Officers are listening to and reflecting on any concerns raised with us.
We are also assessing the content of the comments made on social media to identify any potential offences.