Redbridge Muslim group calls for vigilance after Tell Mama sees spike in hate attacks
Floral tribues outside restaurant attack by terrorists in Paris. Pic: Steve Parsons/PA Wire - Credit: PA
A group has urged victims of hate crime to report it after an anti-Muslim attacks helpline reported a 300 per cent increase in calls since the Paris attacks.
Farouk Ismail, FORMO's chief executive - Credit: Archant
Farouk Ismail, chairman of the Federation of Redbridge Muslim Organisations (FORMO), said hate crimes were “wrong” after the helpline, Tell Mama, received a call from a man who owns an Indian restaurant in Ilford.
Tell Mama director Fiyaz Mughal confirmed the man was at the receiving end of “anti-Muslim” comments last week.
The organisation said it recorded 115 anti-Muslim hate incidents as of Saturday in the country – about a week after the terrorist attacks in Paris, in which at least 130 people were killed.
The helpline said the figure was up by about 300pc on the weeks prior to the attacks.
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“People need protection and they need to report it to police too, so that legislation can change,” said Mr Ismail.
“Our legislation has to change so that there are more convictions.
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“This is just wrong.”
Mr Mughal urged people to “remain vigilant” but assured those in fear that the UK “is one of the safest countries in the world”.
“Sadly, there are some people who believe that the murders in Paris mean that innocent people in the UK should be targeted and this needs to be challenged by individuals reporting it in,” he said.
A police spokeswoman said they were providing extra patrols.
“It is with regret, but something that we have come to realise, through experience, that hate crime can increase during these difficult times,” she said.
“We know Muslim communities in London are feeling anxious and we are providing extra patrols and are speaking regularly with local mosques and community leaders while closely monitoring the situation.”
