The level of anti-Semitic incidents in Redbridge rose sharply from 2008 to 2009 (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

The level of anti-Semitic incidents in Redbridge rose sharply from 2008 to 2009

5:12pm Monday 8th February 2010 in

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HATE CRIMES against Jewish people across the borough increased by 150 percent last year.

There were 20 recorded anti-Semitic incidents in Redbridge in 2009, compared to just 8 the previous year.

A report by the Community Safety Trust (CST), which monitors incidents against Jewish people and organisations nationwide, found that attacks against Jews had risen by 55 percent to 924 incidents across the UK.

The data includes actual violence as well as abusive language, behaviour and the distribution of anti-Semitic material.

Rabbi Richard Jacobi of the Woodford Liberal Synagogue in Marlborough Road, South Woodford, said: “Anecdotally I've heard of incidents and it is a matter of concern.

“We are continuing to aim to be part of the wider community and take positive action to marginalise those who feel that it is an acceptable way to proceed to in a civilised society.

“Inevitably in times of economic hardship some people look for scapegoats for the anxieties they feel and fear about the economic circumstances.

“It's also very troubling that just a few miles away we have Nick Griffin announcing his intentions to stand for parliament in Barking.”

There are around 15,000 Jewish people living in Redbridge, according to the 2001 census.

The news comes just a few days after the Guardian reported that the police are to investigate comments posted on a Facebook group – set up by a student at the Loxford School of Science and Technology in Ilford – which allegedly boasted of attacks against members of the Jewish community.

On January 27 dignitaries and members of the public from across Redbridge gathered at a service in Ilford to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.

A spokesman, commenting on behalf of both the police and the council, said: “Redbridge Police and Redbridge Council take incidents of hate crime extremely seriously and the findings from this report will be considered as part of our overall approach to hate crime.

“However we recognise that hate crime is historically under-reported. As such we have recently placed a large amount of effort into increasing public confidence so that more people are willing to come forward and report these incidents, this has included training for front line staff and the use of third party reporting sites.

“Therefore we can take heart that more people have the confidence to come forward and report these incidents.

“Residents can also be reassured that a higher proportion of these types of crimes are being solved in Redbridge than almost anywhere else in London.

“Both the council and the police work closely with residents from all faiths to make the borough a safer place to live and we are committed to continuing to do so.”