Australia’s Jewish community have been told to be vigilant as a gunman holds people hostage at a cafe in Sydney.

Trips were cancelled and several Jewish institutions were closed as the crisis unfolded.

The Community Security Group, which coordinates emergency arrangements for the Jewish community, told residents to report any suspicious activity or objects.

Steve Lieblich, director of public affairs at the Jewish Community Council of Western Australia, said: “The fact that someone has perpetrated an event like this, it has caused a heightened level of vigilance for our community.

“We are on level 5 of 6 alert levels.”