Reports of antisemitic hate crimes in London trebled last year, according to new police data. The Metropolitan Police recorded 1,729 antisemitic incidents in 2023, a 208% increase from 562 in 2022.
Freedom of information data obtained by The Independent also revealed a 49% rise in Islamophobic hate crimes in the capital, from 940 to 1,405 over the same period. The figures emerge ahead of a speech by Communities Secretary Michael Gove, who is expected to criticise pro-Palestine march organisers for not doing enough to prevent antisemitic messages.
Nationally, the Community Security Trust (CST) recorded 4,103 antisemitic incidents in 2023, a 147% increase from 1,662 in 2022. The surge followed the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October, according to the CST.
The Met Police data shows 1,335 victims of suspected antisemitism in 2023, 71% of whom were Jewish, up from 469 victims in 2022. For Islamophobic hate crimes, 1,274 victims were recorded, 77% Muslim, up from 872 in 2022. Faith-based hate crimes against Christians also rose 49%, from 141 to 210 victims.
A CST spokesperson said the police statistics matched their own figures showing a sharp rise in anti-Jewish incidents after 7 October. A Met Police spokesperson said officers have been working closely with Jewish and Muslim communities and encouraged reporting of hate crimes.
