THERE was a double spike in religious hate crime over the Middle East war and Southport killings, figures show. The largest police forces in the country recorded a rise in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic offences. Home Office minister Diana Johnson yesterday called for an end to hatred being stirred up by a minority of fanatics.
![[Home Office minister Diana Johnson called for an end to hatred being stirred up by a minority of fanatics]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/policing-minister-diana-johnson-cabinet-923707005.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The rises came after Hamas murdered more than 1,200 Israelis on October 7, 2023. Israel retaliated by invading Gaza. In July there was far-right anti-immigrant riots after three girls were stabbed to death in Southport, Merseyside. Greater Manchester Police recorded 85 anti-Semitic cases in October last year and 68 the following month, up from just 13 a month earlier in the year.
![[There was a double spike in religious hate crime over the Middle East war and Southport killings (stock picture)]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/metropolitan-police-officers-form-cordon-870132635.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Islamophobic offences were averaging 39 a month before spiking to 85 in August. The West Yorkshire force saw anti-Semitic offences rise from six a month to 44. Islamophobic offences went up from 33 a month to 94. London’s Met saw a hike in anti-Semitic cases from 54 per month to 517.
Dame Diana said: “These numbers are deeply troubling. “We are determined to stamp out the toxic vitriol which is spread by a minority of people. “We must have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and every other form of heinous hate in Britain.”.
