Anti-Muslim hate crimes in London more than triple in the wake of Paris attacks

Attacks: women in Muslim dress have been the target of hate crimes
Rex
Hannah Al-Othman1 December 2015
WEST END FINAL

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Islamaphobic incidents in London more than tripled in the wake of the Paris terror attacks, according to latest police figures.

Statistics from the Metropolitan Police provided to ITV London show there were 76 such recorded offences between November 17 and 24.

In the seven days up to November 10, three days before the Paris attacks took place on November 13, there were 24 anti-Islamic incidents.

Following the Paris atrocities, which Islamic State has claimed responsibility for, police say they have increased patrols around London's mosques and in areas with large Muslim populations.

The Met has more more than 900 specialist officers dealing with hate crime in the capital, and detectives are urging victims of Islamophobic offences to come forward.

Police have said officers were in regular contact with Muslim community leaders, and are continually reassessing the situation.

In one incident, on Friday night, a man hurled a jerry can full of petrol at Finsbury Park Mosque in what police are treating as a "clear and deliberate attempt to cause arson".

Officers are treating the incident as an Islamaphobic hate crime, and have released a CCTV image of a man they wish to trace.

And just days after the Paris attacks a young Londoner was forced to step in when a teenage girl wearing a hijab was threatened by an older man on board a tube train.

In light of the recent increase in Islamaphobic attacks, 22-year-old Ashley Powys, who came to the young girl's aid, said: "I've been following what's been going on quite closely and all I can think to say is that I'm so very disappointed.

"We were all given the chance to change the outlook on racism by standing up with each other after what happened in Paris, and it seems on the whole that we've failed miserably; even to the point of hearing stories of full grown men physically attacking young girls.

"I've said time and time again that the only way we can fight and speak up against racism and bigotry is if we do it together. But when you have a silent majority who are against racism, a minority who are committing it, and a media that can't make it's mind up, there's no strong defence against this viciousness."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We believe the increase in Islamophobic hate crime is due to a range of factors.

"This includes a growing willingness of victims to report hate crime, an improved awareness of staff in identifying these offences; and work with partners to support victims.

"World events can also contribute to a rise in hate crime.

"We are acutely aware that all areas of hate crime are still under-reported and we are encouraged that more people feel confident to report racial and religious hate crimes, regardless if this is direct to police or via a third party or online."

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