Convictions for race and religious hate crimes in England and Wales hit an eight-year high in 2025, according to Ministry of Justice (MoJ) data. There were 6,163 convictions last year, a 13% increase from 5,430 in 2024, and the highest total since 6,179 in 2017.
More than two-thirds of convictions (70%) were for public order offences, with 15% for violence against the person and 2% for criminal damage and arson. The most common type was racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress using words or writing, accounting for 3,996 convictions (65%), the highest since records began in 2010.
The data comes amid a series of antisemitic attacks in London, including an incident where two Jewish men were injured. Separate Home Office figures show Jewish people faced the highest rate of religious hate crimes per 10,000 population (106), compared to 12 for Muslims. Hate crimes against Muslims rose by nearly a fifth outside the Metropolitan Police area, with a spike in August 2024 linked to the Southport murders and subsequent disorder.
The Community Security Trust (CST) reported 3,700 anti-Jewish hate incidents in 2025, the second-highest annual total, up 4% from 2024. The record remains 4,298 in 2023, the year of the October 7 attack. For the first time, over 200 incidents were recorded every month in 2025, with dozens reported after the fatal Manchester synagogue attack in October.
