A leading police commander has encouraged Jewish groups to work with officers following a meeting with 50 residents in Golders Green.

Chief Superintendent Adrian Usher, commander of Barnet police, said that his “door was always open to those who have the best interests of the community at heart”.

His comments are thought to refer to the Shomrim community security group. Last month, one of the group’s volunteers suffered a fractured skull following an incident in Golders Green.

The incident sparked suggestions of a rift between the group and Barnet police, which was denied at the time by Mr Usher.

He told the residents that he “sincerely hoped” Jewish groups would come to him to discuss ways in which the police and community could work together.

The meeting was called following a recent, significant increase in burglaries in the area. Mr Usher reassured the community that extra officers would patrol the area.

Shomrim volunteers have regularly assisted police in tackling criminal activity in north west London, but relations are understood to have cooled in recent months.