A teenager has been arrested after walls near a synagogue in Camden, north London, were defaced with swastikas on Saturday night.

Police were alerted to reports of a male spraying the Nazi symbol on walls close to Belsize Square Synagogue at 7.40pm.

Officers launched a search and tracked down a 16-year-old whom they arrested on suspicion of religiously aggravated criminal damage. He has been taken into custody.

Other swastikas have reportedly been sprayed on walls elsewhere in the area and an investigation is under way to determine if the same person is responsible.

Jewish security group CST, which received several reports of the incident, tweeted their thanks to the Met police for their speedy response.

CST wrote: “Thank you to @metpoliceuk for swift action in arresting a suspect in connection with swastika graffiti across Swiss Cottage & Belsize Park today. CST received several reports, if anyone has any information please contact police & CST.”

The Board of Deputies posted on Saturday night: “Tonight we’ve worked with local Jewish communities, @CST_UK @JewishLondon &  @CamdenCouncil to coordinate actions by police & Camden in response to this antisemitic graffiti. We welcome swift action by all concerned, including an arrest & start of clean up.”

Camden Council leader Georgia Gould tweeted that she was "disgusted by this act".