Religious hate crimes in England and Wales have surged by 25% in the year ending March 2024, reaching a record high, largely driven by increases in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic offences following the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel. The Home Office reports that hate crimes targeting Jewish people more than doubled to 3,282 incidents, while anti-Muslim offences rose by 13% to 3,866 cases. Overall, despite a 5% decrease in total hate crimes, religious hate crimes reached their highest recorded annual figure since data collection began in 2012. The increase in religious hate crimes contrasts with declines in offences based on race, sexual orientation, disability, and transgender identity. UK Interior Minister Yvette Cooper condemned the rise in hate crimes, declaring them a 'stain on our society' and emphasized the government's commitment to combating such hatred. Community leaders have called for unity and rejection of prejudice amid heightened tensions linked to the Middle East conflict.