Sharp Increase in Islamophobic Offenses
A 140% increase in Islamophobic offenses has been reported by the force.
Alarming Rise in Antisemitic Offenses
According to a statement by the Metropolitan Police, antisemitic offenses increased by 1,353%, and Islamophobic offenses increased by 140% between October 1 and October 18.
Police Response and Arrests
The force has documented 218 anti-Jewish hate crimes, an increase from 15 during the corresponding period of the previous year. Additionally, there has been a rise of 101 offenses directed at Muslims.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan stated, “This is intolerable; I assure you that an investigation will be conducted.”
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Twenty-one hate crime arrests have been recorded by the Metropolitan Police. This week, an individual was detained on suspicion of defacing posters depicting missing Israelis in Camden, north London. Another man was arrested for eleven Islamophobic bus stop graffiti incidents in New Malden and Raynes Park, southwest London.
Controversy Surrounding Slogans
Amid escalating tensions in the United Kingdom caused by the Israel-Hamas conflict, a further large pro-Palestine demonstration is scheduled for this Saturday, during which over a thousand officers will be mobilized.
A stage was erected near the Cenotaph in Whitehall for the demonstration last weekend. After receiving criticism, police moved the platform to King Charles Street.
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Additionally, restrictions will be enforced around the Israeli embassy, according to the police.
DAC Adelekan stated that the chanting of “Palestine will be free from the river to the sea” during the broader demonstration this weekend “likely does not constitute an offense and will not lead to an arrest.”
While the slogan in question urges an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, it has generated considerable controversy and is considered antisemitic by many, including numerous Jewish organizations.
“We are fully cognizant of the intensity of emotion associated with it,” DAC Adelekan stated. “We can see scenarios where chanting these words would be unlawful, such as outside a synagogue or a Jewish school of the other Jewish person or group intending to intimidate.”
Terrorism Act and Online Investigations
Fifteen people were arrested during the demonstration on Saturday, according to the police, and one individual was detained on Tuesday under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act on the suspicion of aiding a proscribed organization, according to Commander Dominic Murphy.
At a demonstration, he was arrested for displaying a Hamas banner, which was labelled a terrorist organisation in 2001.
According to Commander Murphy, the online counter-terrorism unit has received nearly 1,400 referrals, of which over a hundred require additional investigation to determine whether a violation of the Terrorism Act occurred.
