RACIST crime in the borough has risen by more than four times the London average in the last year.

Figures released by the Metropolitan Police show the number of racist crimes in Redbridge leaped from 182 in the year to November 2008, to 235 in the year to November 2009.

The rise of almost 30 percent compares with a rise of seven per cent over the same period in the capital as a whole.

Dr Mohammed Fahim, Imam of South Woodford Mosque in Mulberry Way, said he was not surprised by the figures.

He added: “During the month of Ramadan (August and September), we had people throwing eggs at members of the mosque as they left in the evening. This happened on three or four consecutive nights.

“This is something that will go on if you have an economic crisis, a rise in unemployment. There will always be racial attacks and problems of this sort because people try to take their anger out on others.

"If there was prosperity and everyone was enjoying a good life there would probably be no racial problems.

“The same thing happens before elections, when radical parties stir up tension, like BNP candidates who are trying to get elected such as in Barking.

“If the Government decides go for an early election, maybe in March, there will be lot of racial tension in the run-up.”

The Metropolitan Police say that the rise is actually down to increased reporting of crime due to better policing.

A spokesman said: “The MPS believes that the recorded rise in recorded racist crime is as a consequence of a number of factors: increased trust and confidence in victims and witnesses coming forward to report crimes; improved awareness of staff in identifying such crimes and recording them as such.

Gerry Gabel, publisher of national anti-fascist magazine Searchlight, which is based in Ilford, said he did not believe that the situation was worse in Redbridge than elsewhere.

He said: “I'm very surprised by these figures. I would challenge them because while there is community-on-community crime in Redbridge, I don't think it's any worse than other boroughs, such as neighbouring Waltham Forest or Newham, or across London.”