A police investigation into alleged sex abuse of women by prominent Golders Green rabbi, Chaim Halpern, has been dropped.

The Metropolitan Police said today that a file passed to the Crown Prosecution Service "regarding allegations of sexual assault has resulted in no charges being brought against a 54-year-old man".

It said that officers from Barnet's sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command, who investigated the allegations, "confirm that all allegations have been fully investigated".

Rabbi Halpern, who is the head of the Divrei Chaim synagogue, was arrested in February but had denied any wrongdoing.

The Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations will have to decide whether to reconvene a special Beth Din, which was suspended during the police inquiries, to examine his conduct.

Police added: "Anyone who believes they have been a victim of crime should report this to police".