More than £160,000 was raised at the first fundraising dinner of the Boys Clubhouse, which runs a drop-in centre for young Jewish men with addictions such as alcohol, drugs and gambling, or problems like homelessness.

The dinner was held at the Metropolitan Police museum in Colindale, where a range of historic police cars were on show.

Making an emotional appeal, a former Clubhouse user told diners how the facility had helped him find work and a home after his family life collapsed.

The charity's work was praised by guest speaker Craig Mackey, the Met's Deputy Commissioner. "I feel privileged to be part of this," he said. "I wanted to be here to hear the success stories of the Clubhouse."

He also discussed the challenges posed by the internet and social media, which he said had impacted on teenagers' home lives.

Encouraging the Jewish community to endorse the efforts of the Clubhouse, the police chief said its work proved that "hope is alive".