Police have shut down a steibl in Hackney after complaints of consistent use in breach of social distancing rules.
 
On Monday officers issued a prohibition notice against the Stroznitz Beis Hamedrash in Chardmore Road for failing to comply with government’s restrictions.
 
The Metropolitan Police said it had received four complaints from the public between March 27 and April 16 that the synagogue had been operating.
 
Detective Chief Superintendent Marcus Barnett, borough commander for Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said enforcement action was a “last resort”.
 
Officers  had “continued to engage and explain the current guidelines to those involved and that the Synagogue, by continuing to open and operate, is going against clear government coronavirus social distancing restrictions," he said.

“The overwhelming majority of people in London are doing exactly what the government sets out, which is to stay at home, protect our National Health Service and save lives.

“Following weeks of engagement and discussions, enforcement action has now had to be taken."

Local police have said they will hand out to explain the prohibition notice, noting that the “overwhelming majority” of the Charedi community support police action.

The JC understands that an anti-social behaviour warning notice was issued earlier in the month  in connection with another synagogue in the area.