The number of anti-Muslim hate crimes has increased significantly in the wake of Wednesday’s Woolwich killings, according to an inter-faith charity. The Independent reports that Islamophobic hate crimes are running at ten times their regular rate.
The BBC reports that Fiyaz Mughal, director of Faith Matters, said a range of incidents had been reported in the aftermath of the brutal killing of British soldier Lee Rigby, on Wednesday afternoon. Mughal said the reports included attacks against mosques, graffiti. The pulling off of Muslim women’s headscarves and verbal and online abuse.
He told BBC Radio Five Live: "What's really concerning is the spread of these incidents. They're coming in from right across the country.
"Secondly, some of them are quite aggressive very focused, very aggressive attacks.
"And thirdly, there also seems to be significant online activity... suggesting co-ordination of incidents and attacks against institutions or places where Muslims congregate."
An English Defence League march took place in Woolwich on Wednesday night, with more activity from the far-right group taking place in the days since, including plans for marches today.
