EXTREMISTS are criticising fellow Muslims who join the police describing it as an act of betrayal against Islamic law.

Usman Ali and other members of the Woolwich Mosque community are rallying against the Metropolitan Police's latest drive to get more Muslims into the police.

Greenwich police have a target to recruit 100 special constables from all communities across the borough over the next year.

Officers were outside Greenwich Islamic Centre, Plumstead Road, Woolwich, on March 3, to give Muslims the opportunity to join the police.

Now Mr Ali is starting a campaign to persuade Muslims not to sign up to the police, who he claims are an enemy to Allah.

The leaflet Mr Ali is handing out to the Muslim community states followers who join the police deserve nothing except "hatred" and "hellfire" in the "hereafter".

The 29-year-old from Plumstead said: "It's against Islamic law for Muslims to join the police.

"It's a sin to spy on another Muslim.

"The only way to beat the so-called war on terror is to withdraw troops from Iraq."

He added: "Allah has the only right to legislate and we are opposed to any man-made law not just in this country but in other countries such as Pakistan or Saudi Arabia."

Recruiting sergeant for special constables Phil Turner says it is the first time he had heard these extremist views.

He added: "Everybody we have spoken to from the mosque community has been very supportive of the Metropolitan Police and the Special Constabulary.

"Obviously the more people we recruit from across the borough the more the Metropolitan Police can help the borough and give us a better understanding of all communities."

Greenwich Islamic Centre Imam Dr Tariq Ababsi supports more Muslims joining the police and says it is not against Islamic law.

He said: "This is not true Islam.

"Joining the police and working for Government is not prohibited to us.

"This question has been discussed by many Muslim scholars, who have found no problem whatsoever and endorsed the majority view."

He added: "I challenge these idiots. It is okay for them to stand in the queue and take benefits, use the NHS and call a policeman in time of help.

"They are just a handful of people who do not represent Islam or the views of Muslims in general.

"Serving communities and saving human lives is a noble job."