Elham Asaad Buaras

Islamophobic hate crimes in London have soared by 171 per cent in November following the Paris attacks, new Metropolitan Police figures have revealed.

In the 12 months to November 2015, the number of Islamophobic crimes recorded was 818 – 63.9 per cent higher than the 499 crimes recorded in the year to November 2014.

In the month of November alone, there were 163 Islamophobic offences recorded compared to just 60 in November 2014. The Paris attacks took place on November 13, 2015.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman told The Muslim News: “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.

“The Met is committed to tackling hate crime in all its forms and we have long since recognised the impact of hate crime on communities and victims of hate crime must be assured that they will be taken seriously by the police.