Record-Breaking Islamophobia in London: Reports Surge Sixfold in Five Years

DID Press: A new report by Tell MAMA shows that incidents of anti-Muslim hatred and discrimination in London have increased more than sixfold over the past five years, with the capital now facing the highest recorded level of Islamophobia in 15 years.

More than 1,000 cases were reported in the first half of 2026 alone—a figure that has already surpassed the total recorded for all of 2023. (Tell Mama UK)Tell MAMA, which has monitored and documented anti-Muslim hatred and discrimination in Britain for 15 years, has reported a continued and worrying rise in Islamophobia in London.

Data from the organisation show that the number of recorded reports in the capital has increased more than sixfold over the past five years.According to the published figures, 313 anti-Muslim hate and prejudice incidents were reported in London in 2021.

The figure rose to 818 in 2022 and 1,028 in 2023. The upward trend accelerated in 2024, when the number of reports reached 1,819. In 2025, 1,909 cases were recorded—the highest annual figure since records began. During the first six months of 2026, from January 1 to June 30, 1,031 cases were reported, already exceeding the total number recorded in 2023.

(Tell Mama UK)The increase is not limited to public reports. It has also occurred alongside a rise in anti-Muslim offences recorded by police across Britain. Westminster in London has been identified as one of the main hotspots for such offences, partly due to the large number of people travelling there for work, leisure and social activities.In recent months, cases of street violence, xenophobic rhetoric, harassment of worshippers and attacks targeting Islamic centres in London have increased.

Tell MAMA has also cited incidents including an alleged plan by a teenager to attack mosques in south London, harassment of worshippers and abuse targeting Muslim women, particularly those wearing Islamic clothing.The organisation has called on the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police to strengthen the recording, investigation and prosecution of anti-Muslim hate crimes.

It has also urged the Mayor of London and local councils to provide greater support for community safety programmes and efforts to tackle online abuse.Tell MAMA has warned that a significant amount of online hate speech may be linked to incidents occurring on the streets and has called for more effective monitoring mechanisms and algorithms to combat such content.

The organisation says it has supported more than 65,000 British Muslims since 2011 by helping victims report and follow up on anti-Muslim hate incidents.