German officials have said that they will crack down on volunteer patrols called Shariah police who have been seen scouting outside nightclubs and train stations asking passersby not to dance, gamble or drink.

“Sharia law is not tolerated on German soil. Nobody can take it upon themselves to abuse the good name of the German police,” said Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere.

Justice Minister Heiko Maas conveyed a similar message, saying the state alone has the authority to mete out justice to its citizens.

The leader of the volunteer patrols said he merely aimed at raising awareness about Islamic traditions in Wuppertal, where the police have now started arresting unauthorized individuals, clad in orange safety vests with a Shariah Police label, who have been acting as vigilantes in different parts of Germany.

33-year-old Sven Lau, leader of the hardline Salafist movement and former head of the Islamist group, Invitation to Paradise, is understood to be the one spearheading this recent patrol. In a video message posted on September 6, Lau clarified that the patrol does not actually exist and the volunteers’ efforts were only meant to draw some attention to important issues.

According to local media, the Muslim vigilantes have declared the nightclub area in Wuppertal to be a “Shariah Controlled Zone.” Reportedly, they were seen handing out leaflets to passersby, asking them to stop consuming alcohol and drugs, participating in concerts, visiting prostitutes and watching pornography.

After a few locals complained that about 11 men, aged between 19 and 33 years, were patrolling the streets in Wuppertal, the police had them arrested.

“Intimidation or provocation won’t be tolerated,” said Wuppertal Police Chief Birgitta Rademacher.

The German government is concerned that the Shariah Police volunteers may be reaching out to young Muslims in the country to encourage them in joining the increasing number of European Muslims who have been traveling to Syria to fight on behalf of the Islamic State and other terror organizations.

Photo Credits: The News Commentator