The Metropolitan Police recorded a significant surge in faith-based hate crimes in 2023.

Reports of antisemitic hate crimes in London tripled last year, according to new police data. The Metropolitan Police documented a rise in antisemitic incidents from 562 in 2022 to 1,729 in 2023, representing a 208% increase.

Freedom of information data obtained by The Independent also revealed a 49% rise in Islamophobic hate crimes during the same period, with incidents increasing from 940 to 1,405.

These figures come ahead of a speech by Communities Secretary Michael Gove, addressing the rise of antisemitism in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Gove criticized the organizers of pro-Palestine marches for not sufficiently curbing antisemitic rhetoric. However, organizers have maintained that the events, which draw thousands of participants, are largely peaceful with a low arrest rate.

The Community Security Trust (CST), a Jewish security organization, reported a dramatic increase in antisemitic behavior following the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7. The CST recorded 4,103 antisemitic incidents in the UK in 2023, a 147% rise from 1,662 in 2022.

The Met Police noted a surge in antisemitic offences between October 1 and October 18, with 218 incidents reported, alongside a rise in Islamophobic hate crimes.

In 2023, there were 1,335 recorded victims of suspected antisemitism, 71% of whom were Jewish, up from 469 victims in 2022. Islamophobic hate crimes affected 1,274 recorded victims, 77% of whom were Muslim, an increase from 872 in 2022.

Chief Rabbi Mirvis, along with celebrities Eddie Marsan, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Rachel Riley, Maureen Lipman, and Vanessa Feltz, participated in a march against antisemitism organized by the charity Campaign Against Antisemitism in London.

Additionally, there was a 49% rise in faith-based hate crimes against Christians, with 141 incidents in 2022 and 210 in 2023.