Religious hate crime is on the rise and we must condemn any hate speech or act of hate crime of any kind. I have co-written a letter about to GMP’s Chief Constable, which you can read below.

---

Dear Chief Constable,

Hate crime in Greater Manchester

We are writing to express my deep concern regarding the significant rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crime in Greater Manchester following the outbreak of violence in Gaza and Israel.

In the twelve months to the end of October, there have been 935 religiously motivated reported hate crimes, an increase of 8% on the previous 12 months. However, in October alone, there were 105 religiously motivated hate crimes committed (53 antisemitic and 28 Islamophobic) – this is an increase of 77% on September.

The violence in Israel and Gaza is deeply upsetting for people from all communities across Greater Manchester, but heightened tensions in the Middle East must not lead to hate crime and a strain on community cohesion in Greater Manchester.

We would be grateful if you could outline what action you are taking to reassure communities, to keep our constituents safe, and to ensure those who commit hate crimes are brought to justice.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Afzal Khan CBE MP
Member of Parliament for Manchester, Gorton

Debbie Abrahams MP
Member of Parliament for Oldham East and Saddleworth

Andrew Gwynne MP
Member of Parliament for Denton and Reddish

Sir Tony Lloyd MP
Member of Parliament for Rochdale

Rebecca Long-Bailey MP
Member of Parliament for Salford and Eccles

Yasmin Qureshi MP
Member of Parliament for Bolton South East

Graham Stringer MP
Member of Parliament for Blackley and Broughton

Andrew Western MP
Member of Parliament for Stretford and Urmston

cc Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester