A Jewish trainee policeman with the Metropolitan Police has been excused from working on Friday afternoons so he can observe Shabbos. The Met has altered its rota so he can attend Shul. Other recruits are told the job is a 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year commitment.

This is the latest example of the police anxiety not to upset religious minorities. Last month a Muslim WPC refused to shake hands with Commissioner Sir Ian Blair at a passing-out parade –saying it was against her religion for her to touch a man. And last year another Muslim officer refused to guard the Israeli embassy. The strict Orthodox Jew is training at Hendon Police College in North West London.

NSS