Police are investigating a hate crime in north London after anti-Semitic graffiti was daubed on a synagogue and shop fronts.

The crude images showed a Star of David alongside the numbers "9.11" in Hampstead and Belsize Park - invoking an anti-Semitic conspiracy that there was Jewish involvement in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre in 2001.

Oliver Cooper, a councillor for Hampstead, tweeted the images saying he was "sickened" by the graffiti and told the Standard he has reported it to police.

He said: "We must move heaven and earth to eradicate this racist hatred, which was unimaginable just a few years ago."

Pictures posted online show shop fronts and a telephone box targeted with the graffiti, as well as South Hampstead Synagogue.

Scotland Yard confirmed it is "investigating a racially motivated hate crime in the Hampstead area".

The force said it received a report of anti-Semitic graffiti in a number of locations including Belsize Park and shop fronts at around 11.30pm on Saturday.

No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.

Workers were seen removing the paint on Sunday morning.

Community Security Trust, a charity that "protects British Jews from anti-Semitism and related threats", said they were aware of "several examples of anti-Semitic graffiti in Belsize Park/Hampstead".

They urged anyone with information to contact police on 101.

Mr Cooper added on Twitter: "I am walking around Hampstead documenting all the anti-Semitic graffiti that mars our community this morning, and just got to South Hampstead Synagogue.

"This is a place of peace and prayer, desecrated by the world’s oldest hatred."

Inspector Kev Hailes said: "This is clearly a concerning incident and one we are taking seriously.

"We have liaised with our partners in order to remove the graffiti and various enquiries are underway to find who is responsible.

"Officers will be on patrol throughout the area in order to provide some reassurance to local communities. Please approach us if you have any questions or concerns.

"I ask anyone who might have seen anything suspicious last night to call us and aid the investigation.

“The Met remains committed to tackling hate crimes in all its forms, and we will continue to work with our partners and the public to do so."

Leader of Camden Council, Councillor Georgia Gould and local MPs, Keir Starmer and Tulip Siddiq released a joint statement.

It said: "Camden’s street cleaning teams have spent this morning removing the offensive graffiti.

"This is largely complete, though the operation will continue into Monday on sites where the removal operation is more complex, including South Hampstead Synagogue.

"Camden Council are in close contact with the synagogue to ensure this removal takes places as quickly and sensitively as possible."

They added: "Jewish people around Camden and the world are marking the last night of Chanukah, lighting candles to commemorate the strength and continuity of the Jewish community through times of prejudice and hatred.

“Chanukah is a time of love and hope, bringing light into the darkness. Today we make a public recommitment to ensure anti-Semitic hate finds no support in our communities, and that our Jewish friends, neighbours and colleagues feel safe and protected in Camden.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: "This makes me sick to my stomach.

"Anti-Semitic graffiti like this is a hate crime, it has no place anywhere and certainly not in London. "

Information about these incidents can be reported no 101 quoting CAD 7282/28Dec or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.