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  • Thursday, 09 October 2025

Hate Crimes Hit Record High as Attacks on Muslims and Jews Surge

Hate Crimes Hit Record High as Attacks on Muslims and Jews Surge

Religious hate crimes in England and Wales have reached a record high, with the latest data showing a rise in attacks against both Muslim and Jewish communities. The Home Office confirmed 7,164 religious hate crime offences were recorded in the year ending March 2025 — the highest number on record and a 3% increase from the previous year.

 

Hate Crimes Against Jews Fall 18% While Hate Crimes Against Muslims Rise 19%

While hate crimes against Jewish people fell 18% outside of London to 1,715, the Home Office stressed that this doesn't reflect the full picture. That's because data from the Metropolitan Police — which recorded 40% of all anti-Jewish hate crimes — was excluded due to changes in how it logs incidents. In fact, the previous year had seen a 113% spike in antisemitic crimes following the Hamas attacks in October 2023, so the fall in numbers comes off an already high baseline.

 

Meanwhile, hate crimes targeting Muslims rose sharply — up 19% to 3,199 cases (excluding London). The Home Office linked this spike to events last summer, notably the Southport murders and the riots that followed in August 2024. Overall, 45% of religious hate crime offences were aimed at Muslims, while 29% targeted Jewish people.

 

A closer look at the data reveals a deeper concern. Per capita, Jewish people were targeted at a rate of 106 offences per 10,000 population, compared to 12 per 10,000 Muslims.

 

Number of Overall Hate Crimes Rises To Over 130,000

Across all categories, hate crimes in England and Wales (excluding the Met) rose 2% to 115,990. Including the Met, the total number of hate crimes reached 137,550, though due to recording changes, year-on-year comparisons are limited.

 

While race-related hate crimes also went up by 6%, other types saw declines. Hate crimes based on:

  • Sexual orientation fell 2%
  • Disability dropped 8%
  • Transgender identity decreased 11%

 

Despite the drop in some areas, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the numbers remain deeply troubling. "Today's hate crime statistics show that too many people are living in fear because of who they are, what they believe, or where they come from," she said. "I will not tolerate British people being targeted simply because of their religion, race, or identity."

 

How Has The Government Responded?

In response to recent attacks, including one on a synagogue in Manchester last week, the government has increased police patrols around synagogues and mosques, and allocated £50 million to improve security at places of worship.

 

"We stand with every community facing these attacks and will ensure those who commit hate crimes face the full force of the law," Mahmood stated.

 

Community leaders have also spoken out. Imam Qari Asim, co-chair of the British Muslim Network, said: "Whether it is Islamophobia, antisemitism or any form of bigotry, we must confront it together — with unity and courage, not silence."

 

Activist Suresh Grover, founder of The Monitoring Group, warned that the numbers likely don’t capture the full scale of the problem. "Your colour has become your passport or your nationality," he said, adding that poor police response can discourage victims from coming forward. 

 

The government has pledged continued collaboration with faith leaders and community groups, as concerns grow over how recent unrest and rising polarisation could drive further hate-fuelled violence.

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