The Campaign Against Antisemitism has denied it has set up its own helpline for the victims of antisemitism.

The grassroots group was widely criticised on social media after the BBC reported that it had established the service as a rival to those operated by the police and the Community Security Trust.

But CAA claims the BBC report was wrong and no such helpline exists.

In a statement, the group said the confusion arose after it agreed to its volunteers answering calls from victims following the broadcast of a BBC documentary on antisemitism.

"The BBC then reported this as the launch of a national action line, and we immediately contacted them because this was inaccurate. We never publicised this addition of recorded information to our phone menu options and never planned to launch a phone line," CAA said.

The BBC removed the story from its news website on Sunday after CAA complained.