Revealed: Hate crimes against Muslims hit highest level for 12 months in June

Police figures showed there were 14 incidents where Muslims were specifically targeted in May followed by 19 in June. The previous highest since June 2016 was 11.

There was a spike in hate crimes against Muslims this summer – with the number of incidents in 2017 having been in single figures until May.

Police believe Muslims were targeted specifically in each case, which were all logged as anti-Muslim hate crimes.

There were eight cases reported to police in January, followed by four in February, six in March and nine in April.

The highest number last year, from June when data was available from, was 11.

The total did not rise above four during August, September, November and December last year.

Amjid Raza, who was previously a member of the Dudley Muslim Association, said the rise in hate crimes was ‘concerning’.

He believes recent terror attacks across Europe could be a factor in attacks against members of the religion.

He said: “If anything happens, no matter if it is one individual, it is blamed on the religion.

“Unfortunately, it is becoming the norm for terrorism and other crimes in the north of England to be linked to religion.

“The majority of people do realise they are individual criminals and are tolerant and respectful but unfortunately some people feel differently.

“This is very unfortunate.

“We all have to work together and communicate with each other.”

In June, West Mercia Police, which covers Worcestershire and Shropshire, launched a new hate crime strategy setting out the role of officers and staff when responding to and investigating complaints as the force launched a crackdown on the issue.