Two iconic Hampstead businesses spoke to police this week as their increasingly bitter feud escalated.

La Creperie de Hampstead and the King William IV pub – which sit side by side in the High Street – are locked in a rancorous dispute over a fridge and a small kitchen they both claim rights over.

The row has reached such depths that police have become involved.

The pub’s landlady, Elaine Loughran, complained that a petition posted on the crepe stand, now signed by more than 1,300 people, was inflammatory and a “criminal act” because it featured her photo.

She added: “We asked him to take the photo out of the petition. The police have told him to take the photo out of the petition; it’s an illegal act.”

Edward de Mesquita, owner of the creperie, said he had also called police. He said: “The officer came round on Sunday afternoon, looked at the sign and walked away. We have not seen them since.”

Both parties have leases with Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars, the pub’s freeholder.

The fridge and kitchen facilities are in the pub’s garden, but Mr de Mesquita insists this is agreed in his lease.

Jessica Learmond-Criqui, who spearheads the Hampstead Shops Campaign, has been in talks with the Heineken-owned firm and said: “They would like to resolve this situation soon.”

A spokesman for Camden Police said: “On Sunday July 7 a police officer attended, by appointment, the King William IV pub in Hampstead High Street and spoke with the landlady and also staff at the crepe stall.

“The officer deemed the matter as a civil dispute that does not require any police intervention. Police will be conducting occasional visits to ensure matters do not escalate.”