A mayor in New Jersey has been forced to apologise after he responded to antisemitic tweet by telling the man to “just call police”.

John G Ducey was asked to do something about the parks and beaches in Brick Township by a tweeter using the handle @simms10471.

The user, who has since deleted the account, complained that they were “being invaded by the hasidic and orthodox jews".

They added: "Our tax paying residents are being forced out while politicians sit and do nothing.”

Mayor Ducey replied: “Our parks security has started already. Just call police with any problems and they will send them out.”

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The Democrat who was elected in 2014, was criticised by fellow Twitter users for his seemingly flippant response.

“Hey mayor seems like you’ve got a bigotry problem in town,” wrote wrote in a reply to the mayor’s tweet. “Address that first.”

Another added: " The Mayor of Brick township clearly has not yet figured out that as a public official you should confront & condemn blatant antisemitism & bigotry & not respond to it like a traffic light is out. A bigoted & unacceptable mischaracterisation of any community claims repudiation."

A third said: " "Too late, you showed us yesterday who you really are, an good old fashioned antisemite".

Mr Ducey subsequently apologised for his original response.

He wrote: “This twitter feed (and the world in general) is no place for bigotry or hateful comments. They are hurtful and divisive. They are condemned by me and all who are trying to make a difference in the world. Look for the good in you and others and the world will be a bettter [sic] place.”

In a separate statement to the NJ.com website, Mr Ducey acknowledged an “uptick” in antisemitic social media in the county, but maintained his belief that these sentiments aren’t widely shared by his constituents.

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“The way Twitter interacts, it’s very quick. It doesn’t read well when you read it," he said. “I come from good intentions, so to see it take off in this way is hurtful to me but I can empathise why it did take off based on how it’s worded."