Islamophobic and anti-Semitic hate crimes in London have soared over the last year, official figures released on Monday show, with global events apparently contributing to the rise.
Police record 816 Islamophobic offenses in the 12 months to July, up more than 70 percent from 478 in the previous 12 months.
Anti-Semitic crime surges 93 percent over the same period, with 499 incidents recorded compared with 258 the previous year.
London’s Metropolitan Police say “world events” may have contributed to the increase, while there was also a rise in incidents on holy days when Muslim and Jewish communities were more “visible.”
A willingness by victims to report such crimes and improved ability of police to identify them were also factors, Scotland Yard says.
“In light of recent world events, we know communities in London are feeling anxious,” a spokesman for the force says.
“Local Neighborhood Policing Teams are providing a more targeted presence in key areas at key times, such as school routes, holy days and prayer times to give extra reassurance.”
— AFP
Two dozen neo-Nazis demonstrate in London on July 4, 2015 against the ‘Jewification’ of Golders Green. They were outnumbered by some 200 counter-demonstrators. (Screen capture/TheBlaze/YouTube)
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