After a public outcry, the United Synagogue has removed fox traps at Brady Street, the old London East End cemetery where Nathan Meyer Rothschild is buried.

Dozens of messages posted on the organisation’s Facebook criticised the traps, which were intended to stop the animals interfering with graves.

A US spokesman explained that the devices, which would not have killed or injured foxes, had not actually been set.

The animals were “apparently disturbing some graves, and also digging holes in the ground, which are a health and safety risk for staff and visitors”, the spokesman added.

In an update posted on Facebook, the US said the traps had been removed. “No foxes were trapped or harmed.”

The organisation was working with Fox-A-Gon, described on its website as a “humane deterrence” service.

Other VIPs laid to rest in Brady Street include Solomon Hirschell, who was Chief Rabbi from 1802 to 1842.