Hate crimes Against Jews and Muslims on the rise

Hate crimes against Muslims in London have risen by 70% in the past year, according to Met Police statistics. Figures for the 12 months up to July showed 816 Islamophobic crimes, compared with 478 for the previous 12-month period. Tell MAMA, an organisation that monitors Islamophobic attacks, claimed women were the primary targets. The group told Inside Out London women wearing a face veil were victims of more "aggressive incidents". The Met define Islamophobic crime as any offence intended to affect those known or perceived to be Muslim. Reported incidents ranged from cyber-bullying and assaults to extreme violence. One of the highest increases was in Merton, south west London, which saw a rise from eight incidents in the year to July 2014 up to 29 in the subsequent 12-month period - an increase of 263%.


http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-34138127


Hate crimes against London's Jewish minority have surged over the last 12 months with an increase of 93.4% according to figures from the Metropolitan police. In the 12 months from July 2014, police recorded 499 anti-Semitic crimes in London compared with 258 in the same period the preceding year. The boroughs worst affected were Hackney and Barnet where respectively 122 and 120 instances were reported. In a statement to IBTimes UK, the Met attributed the rise to several factors, including increased reporting, but said that greater focus on the capital's 250,000-strong Jewish communities in the wake of events elsewhere had led to the spike. "In light of recent world events, we know communities in London are feeling anxious," the Met statement said. "Local neighbourhood 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." Commander Mak Chishty, MPS hate crime lead, said: "We will not tolerate hate crime and take positive action to investigate all allegations, support victims and arrest offenders.


http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/anti-semitism-uk-hate-crimes-against-londons-jewish-minority-surge-by-93-1518750