Racist and religious hate crime is on the rise in London, according to data from the Met Police's hate crime dashboard.

In June 2019, there were 1,581 offences related to racist and religious hate crime in the capital.

This increased to 2,444 offences by June 2020.

This Hate Crime Awareness Week (October 10-17) council and police leaders from across South West London are encouraging people to have the confidence to report incidents of hate crime as part of an effort to tackle the problem.

Richmond Council leader Gareth Roberts said the increase in hate crimes in his borough in recent months "serve as a stark reminder that we must do more as a community to stop racism, homophobia and religious intolerance".

Cllr Roberts added: "Reporting is an essential part of this process and while at times it may seem easier to turn a blind eye to a situation that makes us feel uncomfortable – I urge you not to normalise this kind of behaviour and to step in by picking up the phone to the police. If you see or experience hate crime, report it. Together we can create a safer borough."

This Hate Crime Awareness Week also marks the 15th anniversary of the murder of Jody Dobrowski on Clapham Common, which resulted in the first conviction for a homophobically-aggravated murder in the United Kingdom.

Hate crime is an offence that is targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person's perceived:

• Disability
• Race or ethnicity
• Religion or belief
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity

Hate crimes can be committed against a person or property. If you are targeted because of who you are, or who they think you are, it is a hate crime.

The crime does not have to include physical violence – it can be verbal or online.

Offences in Richmond

Between August 2019 and August 2020 reported hate crimes included:

• Racist and religious hate crime – 322 offences, including 20 crimes relating to faith hate, 11 islamophobic offences and 3 antisemtic offences.
• Homophobic hate crime – 47 offences
• Disability hate crime – 11 offences
• Transgender hate crime – 2 offences

• Stop Hate UK, which offers a 24-hour telephone number for people wanting to report hate crime. Call 0800 138 1625 or go to visit their website
• For a confidential 24-hour helpline for young people under 18, call 0808 801 0576 or text 07717 989 025 or visit the Call Hate Out website