News Desk
- Police treat incidents as hate crimes
- London Mayor condemns attacks
- Muslim forum calls for action
ISLAMABAD: London has reported an alarming spike in hate crimes as anti-Muslim graffiti has been found daubed on seven buildings this month, including mosques, community centres and a primary school.
The Metropolitan Police said it is investigating “several incidents of criminal damage” and is treating them as “shocking” hate crimes.
According to Sky news, the first incident occurred on Monday 6 January, with the most recent recorded on Saturday 25 January.
Police said they were looking into whether they are linked, including examining CCTV footage.
Hate group
The incidents are reported to have been fuelled by a Telegram hate group, which was offering £100 to people who committed acts of vandalism.
The Met said its inquiries are continuing.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the attacks on social networking site X.
There is no tolerance for hate in our city and I have been made aware of a series of similar incidents in recent days and weeks in our city.
I remain in close contact with the Met Police as they continue their investigations and increase patrols.https://t.co/9KyV0EyIjW
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) January 25, 2025
London police have reportedly stepped up reassurance patrols in the affected areas and is in contact with local faith leaders.
Places targeted
Sky News reported the targeted places include West Norwood Mosque, SE27, South Norwood Islamic Community Centre, Croydon, SE25, Thornton Heath Islamic Centre, CR7, Stratford mosque, Newham, E15, Leyton Jamia Masjid, E10, Albirr Foundation mosque, and E10 Noor Ul Islam Primary School.
BBC also confirmed that an east London mosque has been vandalised in a suspected hate crime.
The “racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage” is believed to have occurred overnight on Wednesday, the police said.
Police also said the incident was reported on Thursday and inquiries were ongoing, with no arrests made yet.
Swift response
In a post on X, Newham Muslim Forum thanked police and the council for a “swift response to the hateful attack on the masjid in Stratford last night”.
Thanks @SkyNews for highlighting this important story:
https://t.co/L1PWPhch40The lack of broader media coverage is disappointing. We must stand united against anti-Muslim hatred—it has no place in our neighborhoods or anywhere.
Silence is not an option. https://t.co/RDRhgCx4X9
— Newham Muslims (@NewhamMuslims) January 25, 2025
It added the incident was “a wake-up call” and called for politicians to act against what it called “dangerous, divisive rhetoric targeting Muslims and ethnic minorities”.
In another post, the group shared a poster with the words “communities standing together in solidarity”, with a gathering planned for Friday at 18:00 GMT on Brydges Road, BBC reported.