Police are investigating allegations that Jewish children in Hackney were not allowed to board buses on two separate occasions.

In both incidents, it is claimed that bus drivers slowed down as they approached bus stops where children were waiting, but then sped up without stopping.

The children were said to be obviously Jewish based on their appearance.

According to the Jewish Chronicle, the first incident happened on November 26, when several Jewish schoolboys flagged down a 76 bus travelling towards Waterloo at a stop in Egerton Road, Stamford Hill, shortly after 8am.

A similar incident allegedly took place on the evening of November 28, also in the Stamford Hill area but on the 318 route and at a stop in Ravensdale Road.

The Jewish Chronicle has reported this incident as taking place on November 29. It reported that a 13-year-old Jewish girl said her bus had initially slowed after several Jewish boys put their hands out for it to stop, but the driver then accelerated past the stop, although a non-Jewish person was allowed to board further down the road.

No arrests have been made but police are currently investigating the claims.

Keith Prince, Conservative London Assembly Member for Havering and Redbridge, has now sent an open letter to Mayor Sadiq Khan expressing concern about the alleged incidents.

In the letter, sent yesterday (November 6), he said: “Antisemitism has no place in our great, multicultural city.

“It is reassuring to read that the Met Police are investigating, but can I please seek your assurance that these alleged incidents will also be investigated as a matter of urgency by Transport for London and that appropriate action will be taken.

“Can you also please confirm that London bus drivers have been reminded of their obligations to treat all passengers equally and without discrimination?”

A TfL spokesperson said: "We do not tolerate any form of discrimination on our network and take any reports such as this extremely seriously.

"These incidents are being investigated by the bus operating companies and any necessary disciplinary action will be taken in line with their established procedures.  

“We would urge anyone who has information about this incident or has experienced discrimination to report this to us or to the police so that it can be investigated.”  

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 providing the reference 4606/26NOV in relation to the incident on November 26 or 6372/29NOV in relation to the incident on November 28.

Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.