Dozens of police officers were called to one of the country’s top universities to quell a “violent” anti-Israel protest which left Jewish students barricaded in a room, after being told their safety could not be guaranteed if they left alone.

Attendees at the University College London (UCL) event were forced to remain in a lecture room after hearing a talk by Israeli activist Hen Mazzig, as they waited for police to escort them through the crowds of around 100 demonstrators who had gathered outside.

Police are investigating after two female Jewish students reported that they were assaulted during the evening. One was knocked to the ground when protesters broke into the lecture room through a window and jumped in, while another was pushed against a door causing her to have a panic attack.