Rise in Antisemitic and Islamophobic Hate Crimes in London

倫敦反猶太與恐伊斯蘭仇恨犯罪上升

Jun 5, 2026, 16:09

Introduction

Recent data from the Metropolitan Police show a significant increase in hate crimes targeting Jewish and Muslim people in London during May 2026.

倫敦警察廳最近的數據顯示，2026年5月期間，針對猶太人與穆斯林的仇恨犯罪顯著增加。

Main Body

According to Metropolitan Police records, antisemitic hate crimes rose by 72% between April and May, with 255 incidents reported. This is the largest monthly increase since autumn 2023, when violence surged following the Hamas attacks on Israel. The borough of Barnet had the highest number of these crimes, accounting for 30% of the total. Furthermore, the Community Security Trust emphasized that violent incidents in Golders Green in April likely caused this trend. At the same time, a government review by Lord John Mann found that Jewish people face systemic exclusion within the National Health Service (NHS), leading him to describe anti-Jewish racism as a national emergency.

根據倫敦警察廳的紀錄，反猶太仇恨犯罪在4月至5月間上升了72%，共報告了255宗事件。這是自2023年秋季哈瑪斯攻擊以色列導致暴力飆升以來，最大的單月增幅。巴納特區（Barnet）的犯罪數量最高，佔總數的30%。此外，社區安全信託基金（Community Security Trust）強調，4月在 Golders Green 發生的暴力事件可能導致了這一趨勢。與此同時，約翰·曼勳爵（Lord John Mann）的一項政府審查發現，猶太人在國民健康服務（NHS）內部面臨系統性排斥，使他將反猶太種族主義描述為一場國家緊急狀態。

Similarly, Islamophobic hate crimes increased by 33%, rising from 135 to 179 incidents. This is the highest monthly total since August 2024. This increase began in March, which coincided with the government's new official definition of anti-Muslim hostility. Westminster recorded the highest number of these crimes, partly due to the 'Unite the Kingdom' rally organized by Tommy Robinson. Debbie Weekes-Bernard, the Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, asserted that the rally used Islamophobic language. Additionally, Akeela Ahmed from the British Muslim Trust linked the unrest in Westminster to far-right protesters who want to marginalize Muslim communities.

同樣地，恐伊斯蘭仇恨犯罪增加了33%，從135宗上升至179宗。這是自2024年8月以來最高的單月總數。此次增加始於3月，正值政府對反穆斯林敵對行為定義出新官方標準之時。西敏區（Westminster）記錄到最高數量的犯罪，部分原因是湯米·羅賓遜（Tommy Robinson）組織的「聯合王國」（Unite the Kingdom）集會。負責社區與社會正義的副市長 Debbie Weekes-Bernard 斷言，該集會使用了恐伊斯蘭語言。此外，英國穆斯林信託基金（British Muslim Trust）的 Akeela Ahmed 將西敏區的動盪與極右翼抗議者聯繫起來，指出他們企圖將穆斯林社群邊緣化。

Conclusion

London is currently seeing a simultaneous rise in both antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crimes, alongside official reports of systemic prejudice in public institutions.

倫敦目前正經歷反猶太與恐伊斯蘭仇恨犯罪同步上升，同時官方報告指出公共機構中存在系統性偏見。

Vocabulary Learning

🚀 The 'Power Shift': Moving from Simple to Precise Verbs

At an A2 level, you likely use the word 'say' or 'think' for almost everything. To reach B2, you need to describe how someone speaks. Look at these specific shifts from the text:

A2 style: Debbie Weekes-Bernard said that the rally used bad language.
B2 style: Debbie Weekes-Bernard asserted that the rally used Islamophobic language.

Why this matters: "Asserted" doesn't just mean speaking; it means speaking with strong confidence and authority. It changes the tone from a simple conversation to a formal statement.

🧩 The Logic of 'Cause and Effect' Connectors

B2 students stop using only "and" or "because." They start using words that link complex ideas. Notice these patterns in the article:

"Accounting for..." $\rightarrow$ $\to$ Use this instead of "This is."
- Example: "Barnet had 30% of the crimes" $\rightarrow$ "Barnet... accounting for 30% of the total."
"Coincided with..." $\rightarrow$ $\to$ Use this when two things happen at the exact same time.
- Example: "The increase began in March, which coincided with the new definition."
"Linked... to..." $\rightarrow$ $\to$ Use this to show a connection between a person/group and an event.
- Example: "Akeela Ahmed linked the unrest to far-right protesters."

⚡ Vocabulary Upgrade: From 'Bad' to 'Systemic'

In A2, we describe problems as "big" or "bad." In B2, we describe the nature of the problem.

A2 Word	B2 Upgrade	Context from Text
Big increase	Significant increase	...show a significant increase in hate crimes.

| Bad/Unfair | Systemic exclusion | ...Jewish people face systemic exclusion.

| Push away | Marginalize | ...protesters who want to marginalize Muslim communities.

Pro Tip: "Systemic" means the problem is built into the rules or the system of an organization, not just one person being mean. Using this word immediately signals to an examiner that you are operating at a B2 level.

Vocabulary Learning

significant (adj.)

Large or important enough to be noticed or have an effect.

Example:There has been a significant increase in the number of students studying abroad this year.

surged (v.)

To increase suddenly and powerfully.

Example:Electricity demand surged during the heatwave as everyone turned on their air conditioning.

accounting for (phr. v.)

To form a particular amount or part of something.

Example:Rent and utilities are accounting for nearly half of my monthly expenses.

emphasized (v.)

To give special importance or attention to something when speaking or writing.

Example:The teacher emphasized that the deadline for the project is Friday.

systemic (adj.)

Relating to a whole system rather than just one part; deeply ingrained.

Example:The company is trying to address systemic racism within its hiring process.

exclusion (n.)

The act of leaving someone out of a group or activity.

Example:Social exclusion can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression in elderly people.

coincided (v.)

To happen at the same time as something else.

Example:The publication of the book coincided with the anniversary of the author's birth.

asserted (v.)

To state something confidently and forcefully.

Example:The lawyer asserted that his client was innocent of all charges.

marginalize (v.)

To treat a person or group as insignificant or unimportant.

Example:Certain minority groups are often marginalized in political discussions.

simultaneous (adj.)

Happening or existing at the exact same time.

Example:The movie was released with simultaneous premieres in five different countries.

Practice B2 words in a crossword→