UK police have categorized Islamophobic attacks under general hate crimes which is thankfully about to change. Prime Minister David Cameron has just announced that local law enforcement will now be required to register anti-Muslim attacks into a specific hate crime category, much like the process for anti-Semitic attacks. This will allow police, prosecutors, and legal experts to better understand and protect against these type of assaults. Cameron also just announced new funding for the security of all faith establishments, including mosques.
Between 2013-14, according to Downing Street, religious hate crimes increased by 45% and race hate crime by 4%.
“Hate crime has no place in Britain and I am determined to make further progress to ensure we can eradicate this deplorable act,” says Home Secretary, Theresa May.
“Working with police to provide a breakdown in religious based hate crime data will help forces to build community trust, target their resources and enable the public to hold them to account.”
