Met police have made 25 hate crime arrests in the capital since the London Bridge terror attack on Saturday.

Officers are seeing a “year on year” increase in hate crime and said this is due to a number of factors including world events, improved awareness and a willingness of victims to report crime.

“Since Saturday evening’s attacks, we have increased the number of officers on the streets and in communities to reassure local people that they are able to go about their daily lives in peace and without fear of harassment or intimidation,” said Ch Supt Dave Stringer, head of community engagement for the Metropolitan Police

“Dedicated ward officers have also made contact with their local places of worship to encourage them to report hate crimes and to reassure those who congregate there that the police will take these crimes seriously.

“The Met is committed to tackling hate crime in all its forms.”

Mr Stringer said the police recognised the impact of hate crime on communities and vowed support victims and their families and bring perpetrators to justice.

“We would appeal to anyone who witnesses or suffers any hate of any type to immediately report it so that action can quickly be taken and catch those responsible,” he said.

David Landau, senior case officer at equalities charity, Redbridge Equalities and Community Council (RECC), said although no one has reported any through his organisation, the group is not surprised by hate crime related arrests.

“Given the focus on Ilford in the last few days we do anticipate more hate crime in the borough,” he said.

“The terrorists want there to be more hate crimes, they want to divide us against each other and polarise things.

“Most people want to stand together against hate and everybody needs to unite.”

Hate crime can be reported through 999 in an emergency, by dialling 101 in a non-emergency, directly at a police station, through the MOPAC Hate Crime app or through community reporting methods such as Tell MAMA, Galop, or the CST.

Residents can also get advice and report hate crime by contacting the RECC on 020 8551 8178.