Concerns at a rise in anti-semitism
FEARS have emerged over an increase in anti-semitism on Tyneside.
Figures released by the Community Security Trust revealed 22 incidents in Gateshead were reported to them between January and June - a rise of 73% on last year’s numbers.
These include Jewish people being spat at and children being threatened in the street.
There was also a case of a property being damaged.
The rise in Gateshead, which has the largest ultra Orthodox Jewish community outside London, may be the result of new types of incident reporting, CST said, and could be due to increased reporting.
A security representative from the North East Jewish community said: “The increase in incidents involving the North East Jewish community is a worrying reflection of the rising tide of malicious hate crime and anti-Semitism pervading today’s society.
“The Community Security Trust, which looks after the safety and welfare of the community, works closely with the police and the Home Office to protect those who may be worried about attacks which cause much concern within the Jewish community.
“It continues to work to promote good relations between British Jews and the rest of British society by working towards the elimination of racism and anti-Semitism in particular and will continue to monitor such incidents.”
CST recorded 767 anti-Semitic incidents nationwide from January to June 2017, a 30% increase from the 589 incidents recorded during the first six months of 2016.
This is the highest total CST has recorded for January to June.
The previous record was in the first half of 2009, when CST recorded 629 anti-Semitic incidents. The record total for a full calendar year is 1,346 incidents, recorded in 2016.
CST has recorded anti-Semitic incidents since 1984.
Assistant chief constable Garry Shewan, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for anti-Semitic issues, said: “There is never any excuse for abuse, racism or hate crime. Police forces take our responsibility to protect people from harm and promote cohesion seriously. These figures demonstrate that there has been an increase in anti-Semitism directed against our UK
Jewish communities. Police forces are committed to working with CST to respond to all instances of hate crime and protect the Jewish community from this abuse.
“I want to encourage anyone who is targeted in this way to report to their local police - you will be listened to, taken seriously, and officers will do all they can to bring offenders to justice.”