There has been a 61 percent increase in anti-Semitic crime in the past 12 months according to the�latest statistics�released by the Met Police.

A total of 483 anti-Semitic crimes were committed up until November 2015, increasing from 299 crimes from November 2014.

Hotspots included Westminster where there was a 178 percent increase, the London Borough of Hackney where there were 122 crimes, Tower Hamelts which had a 100 percent rise and Lambeth which had a 200percent increase.

Speaking to the Jewish News, the Met police said�they are �committed to tackling hate crime in all its forms�, adding that they �take positive action to investigate all hate crime allegations, support victims and their families and bring perpetrators to justice.�

Reflecting on the figures, they said �there has been a rise in faith/religious hate crime, however the MPS believes these increases are down to a range of factors, including the improvements in crime recording, a growing willingness of victims to report hate crime; and an improved awareness of MPS staff to identify these offences.

They continued by trying to reassure the community, saying: �We continue to speak regularly with local synagogues, and also work closely with organisations representing different faiths regarding hate crime issues, such as the Community Security Trust [CST] for anti-Semitic hate crime.

In light of continuing world events, we know communities in London are feeling anxious. Safer Neighbourhood Teams are providing a more targeted presence in key areas at key times, such as school routes, prayer times and holy days to give extra reassurance. �

(Source: LJN)