"Ridiculous" posters set out strict code of rules

Threatening posters have put up across the East End declaring parts of Tower Hamlets as zones operating under strict Islamic law.

Extremists have erected the posters - which warn people to abide by Sharia law - in points across the borough and also Newham and Waltham Forest.

The bright yellow stickers order that there should be “no music or concerts” and “no alcohol” along with “no gambling, porn or prostitution”.

Police and council officers are now patrolling the borough in joint teams to rip down any offensive material.

Tower Hamlets Council said it is treating the matter “very seriously” and called on residents to help the clean-up by reporting sightings to the police.

Banned splinter group Islam4UK has claimed responsibility for the posters according to one national newspaper, which states its leader Anjem Choudary warned: “We now have hundreds if not thousands of people up and down the country willing to go out and patrol the streets for us and a print run of between 10,000 and 50,000 stickers ready for distribution.”

Earlier this year homophobic posters declaring Tower Hamlets a “gay-free zone” were put up across the borough.

Last month 18-year-old Mohammed Hasnath was fined £100 after being convicted of distributing the stickers.

A spokesman for Tower Hamlets Police said: “We are aware of a limited number of posters appearing in Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets and Newham. Officers are working closely with the local authority to have the posters removed as soon as possible.”

A Tower Hamlets Council spokeswoman said: “The posters have been brought to our attention and with our partners, we have been removing them as and when they have appeared, and will continue to monitor the situation.

“The matter is being looked into further by our Hate Crime Team who are working alongside the local police.”

Report posters to the police on 0033 123 1212.