Police officers have arrested a man on suspicion of racially abusing Shomrim volunteers who were helping a burglary victim.

Members of the Jewish volunteer security service spotted the attempted burglary at around 12:45pm on Thursday while patrolling in Hackney, east London, and called police to help.

While officers were taking a statement from the victim - an Asian male - a passer-by saw Shomrim volunteers standing outside and allegedly shouted: “F***ing Jewish scum. Why do you keep calling them [the police]? Because he’s Muslim?”

The culprit, who walked away after one of the men started recording him, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of a racially-aggravated public order offence at around 5pm.

A police spokesman said on Friday: “Detectives for Hackney Borough are investigating allegations of antisemitic abuse. The incident occurred at 14:28 on Thursday November 5, on Springfield, E5.

“A 37-year-old man from Hackney was arrested at the scene in connection with the offence. He currently remains in custody at an east London police station.”