Police imposed a 48-hour dispersal zone on an area of Golders Green, giving them extra powers to break up gatherings of people, after visiting a synagogue on Saturday where they said there had been too many worshippers. 

Officers went to the Ohel Moshe Synagogue in Leeside Crescent on Saturday morning with Barnet Council officials following what the Metropolitan Police said were “concerns raised about potential Covid breaches”. 

“They observed 80 to 100 people exiting the building – too high a number to be able to comply with social distancing guidance in the space available at the venue,” police said. 

The dispersal zone, covering an area bordered by Princes Park Avenue, Golders Green Road, Ravenscourt Avenue, Templar Avenue, St George’s Road and Finchley Road, was authorised  later in the day and will last until 5pm on Monday. 

The Met said a second visit had been scheduled to Ohel Moshe later on Saturday. 

According to local community sources, officers prevented a minyan taking place for the afternoon minchah service. 

Police also said they had visited Yeshivas Chayei Olam in Finchley Road on Saturday lunchtime after concerns about potential Covid breaches but they found it closed and no action was taken.