Shomrim, a group of crime-fighting Jews, helps bridge the religious divide
Shomrim's protection of Muslims in a London community has drawn international praise
The unusual sight of crime-fighting Orthodox Jews pounding the streets of a tough London neighbourhood after dark has captured the attention of grateful locals, but their ongoing protection of local Muslims has seen their profile go global.
The work of the 25-strong "Shomrim" even caught the eye of US Secretary of State John Kerry, who praised the neighbourhood patrol group's "remarkable courage".
Members of the Haredi Jewish community in Stamford Hill formed the group - named after the Yiddish word for guards - in 2008 in response to high crime levels. Police initially feared vigilantism but now cooperate closely with the volunteers, who helped in 197 arrests last year.
But it is their role in helping protect the area's large Muslim population that secured their place in the community.
The group was called upon by local councillors in Hackney, north London, following last year's murder of soldier Lee Rigby by Islamic extremist.
"There was a spike in anti-Muslim hate crime. All over England, mosques were being firebombed," said Shomrim member Shulem Stern. "The councillors thought: 'We've got Shomrim in the local area, why don't we utilise them'?"