Hate crime soars in London during Gaza conflict

Antisemitic hate crime has continued to soar in London, with 408 offences recorded so far this month compared to 28 in the same period last year.

Islamophobic hate crime is also on the rise, up from 65 offences last October to 174 so far this month.

The Metropolitan Police says it has made 75 arrests linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict, and is investigating 10 potential breaches of terrorism laws.

A large pro-Palestinian protest is expected in London on Saturday.

Cdr Kyle Gordon, who will lead the operation around Saturday's march, said it would be policed "right up to the line of the law" and include discussions about "anything we've learnt from previous weeks".

But he refused to give details of what officers will do if people are seen calling for jihad during the protest, following a row between the government and the Met this week.

Footage of a man making a speech about jihad at a smaller protest close to the main march on 21 October prompted Home Secretary Suella Braverman to question Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley over why arrests had not been made.

"If somebody is calling for jihad specifically against Israel the officers will intervene, gather the information," Cdr Gordon said, adding: "We'll be working with colleagues [from counter-terrorism] in relation to what the best course of action is."

The new crime stats come amid warnings from security and community figures that domestic hate crime and radicalisation could be fuelled by events in the Middle East.

Counter-terrorism officers are investigating 10 potential crimes linked to online posts, which the Met says includes "appalling" material and videoed speeches.

The Met are also appealing for information about three women who took part in a pro-Palestinian protest on 14 October. Investigators say they were seen displaying images of paragliders, an apparent reference to a method used by Hamas to infiltrate Israel during the 7 October attacks.

They are also appealing for information about a man who police say was pictured holding a placard stating "I fully support Hamas" during the 21 October protest in London.

Pictures of four people police want to speak to have been released.

Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK. Supporting a banned group is a criminal offence which can be punished by a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

Cdr Gordon was also asked about several videos which have emerged on social media of people tearing down or defacing posters designed to raise awareness about hostages being held by in Gaza.

Asked what action police were taking on the issue, he said these were "highly emotive" actions for the Jewish community but each case had to be looked at in context.

The Met is also supporting a number of families of people killed in Israel and working in the country alongside other British officials ahead of future coroners' inquests into the deaths.

Cdr Dominic Murphy, head of counter-terrorism for the Met, said there were no current criminal investigations into the killings, but the force "reserved the right to declare a UK-based investigation".