A “racist” sign in Stamford Hill apparently telling people to “beware of Jews” has been removed after it was reported to police.

The fake road sign appeared yesterday in Clapton Common and has now been torn down by Hackney Council.

The area is home to 30,000 members of the Charedi group, one of the UK’s largest ultra-orthodox Jewish communities.

Last year the local neighbourhood watch group Shomrim published statistics revealing the everyday abuse they suffered, with 38 reports of hate crime in one month alone.

Shomrim supervisor Barry Bard said: “The sign has caused a lot of concern amongst local Jewish residents, especially as it’s in such close proximity to a synagogue.”

Stamford Hill’s MP Diane Abbott also took to Twitter to brand the sign “disgusting” and “unacceptable”. Police are investigating the incident and are treating it as a racially aggravated hate crime.

The sign appeared days after the community turned out in fancy dress to celebrate Purim. The annual religious celebration marks the foiling of an attempt by an ancient Persian King to wipe out the Jewish population 2,500 years ago as recorded in the Book of Esther.

It is celebrated by Jewish communities around the world with parades, music, gifts and fancy dress.