Record Rise in Religious Hate Crimes in England and Wales

Religious hate crimes in England and Wales surged by a staggering 25% over the past year, reaching the highest levels in over a decade, Arab News reported yesterday citing government data.

The spike is largely attributed to rising tensions following the onset of the Gaza conflict, particularly since the Hamas attack on October 7.

In the 12 months leading to March, police recorded a total of 140,561 hate crimes, with 70% (98,799) classified as racially motivated. Notably, religious hate crimes climbed from 8,370 in 2022-23 to nearly 10,500, marking the highest annual figure since data collection began in 2012. Hate crimes against Jewish individuals more than doubled to 3,282, while incidents targeting Muslims totaled 3,866.

Interior Minister Yvette Cooper condemned the “appalling levels” of anti-Semitic and Islamophobic offenses, emphasizing the need to combat this “toxic hatred.” She vowed to ensure that those spreading such animosity, both online and offline, face legal consequences.

The report follows nationwide marches and memorials commemorating the first anniversary of the Hamas attack and subsequent Israeli actions in Gaza. Faith leaders from both Jewish and Muslim communities have urged the public to reject all forms of prejudice and hatred.