Anti-Muslim hate crime in England and Wales rises 15% to a record-era high

Home Office figures reported by The Guardian show police-recorded anti-Muslim offences in England and Wales rising from 4,479 to 5,132 in the year to March 2026, an increase of about 15 percent. Religious hate crime overall reached its highest total since consistent records began in 2012. Recorded figures reflect both what happens and what people report and police record, so they are best read as a trend line rather than a precise count. Why it matters: reliable, published statistics are the foundation of any institutional response. Communities that track incidents, support reporting and hold agencies to the numbers are better placed to secure protection that is enforceable rather than rhetorical.

This is a QeRN summary by Ahmed Qerni. Read the original at The Guardian (Home Office figures): https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/oct/08/racial-and-religious-hate-crimes-at-record-high-in-england-and-wales-data-shows.