LONDON (AFP) – Hate crime in England and Wales rose by a record 25 per cent in the last year, fuelled by a spike since the start of the war in Gaza, government data showed yesterday.
The highest annual figure of hate crimes in over a decade was due to a rise in offences since October 7 last year, the Interior Ministry said.
Overall, there were 140,561 hate crimes – defined as an offence based on a person’s race, ethnicity, religion, orientation, disability – recorded by the police in the 12 months to March.
Most – 98,799 or 70 per cent – were racially motivated.
Both the overall and race hate crime figures are down five per cent on the previous 12 months. But religious hate crimes surged from 8,370 in 2022-23 to nearly 10,500 – the highest annual figure since data collection began in 2012.
The appalling levels of hate crimes outlined in today’s figures are a stain on the society, said Interior Minister Yvette Cooper.
She promised to tackle “this toxic hatred wherever it is found”, adding: “We must not allow events unfolding in the Middle East to play out in increased hatred and tension here on our streets.
“Those who push this poison – offline or online – must face the full force of the law.”
The latest data comes just days after marches and memorials took place across the country to mark the first anniversary of the Gaza war. British faith leaders have called for the public to reject “prejudice and hatred in all its forms”.
