Recent figures reveal Islamophobia hate crimes in London rise by almost 40 per cent in the past year. 1678 anti-Muslim hate crimes were reported in the capital in the year up to January 2018, over 400 more cases than the previous year's 1205. The Scotland Yard however, has warned that the figures which were released from the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime, do not show the full scale of “hugely under-reported” hate crimes in the capital.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has warned perpetrators they face arrest and prosecution under a “zero-tolerance” approach. He said, “London is a place where we celebrate, cherish and embrace diversity. I am calling on all Londoners to pull together, and send a clear message around the world that our city will never be divided by individuals who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life.” Authorities and Muslim leaders said the rise is in connection to the terror attacks on London Bridge and Manchester Arena last year. Director of campaign group Tell Mama, Iman Atta said the increase in attacks had “created a heightened sense of tension in Muslim communities.” He blamed terrorist atrocities for the increase, adding, “These attacks had ripple effects, triggering Islamophobic attacks and the large increment rise you have seen.”
Khan highlighted figures showing a 40 per cent increase on the daily average number of reported Islamophobic attacks in the capital. Police said hate crimes include physical attacks, damage to property, bullying and abuse. Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer, Scotland Yard's head of community engagement said, “The Met has seen a steady increase in the reporting of all hate crime, particularly racist and religious hate crime. Despite this rise, hate crime is hugely under-reported and no one should suffer in silence.” Stringer added, “London is such a diverse and tolerant city, but too many still feel marginalised, or worse, intimidated to go about their daily lives due to their race, faith, sexual orientation, gender, or disability.”
