Racial hate crimes skyrocket in London during Covid pandemic

Hate crimes against Asians in London have soared by nearly 180% during the Covid-19 pandemic, research shows.

Police figures met show that the total number of racially motivated hate crimes reached 20,376 between April 2020 and March of this year, up from 17,771 in the previous 12 months, an increase of 15%.

But for those of East and Southeast Asian descent, it rose 179% during the coronavirus crisis, as racists coughed, spat and assaulted people of Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean descent. , Thai and Vietnamese.

Black English footballers Marcus Rashford, 23, Jadon Sancho, 21, and Bukayo Saka, then 19, were targeted after missing penalties in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley in June.

Over 600 racist comments were sent to Three Lions players, including 207 found to be criminal.

According to a YouGov poll cited by Mr Khan, one in three people who did not previously think racism was a serious problem believe they are following the tournament.

He added that children as young as 13 are recruited by far-right groups.

Mr Khan announced an additional £ 400,000 for a grassroots fund to help communities tackle extremism, hate crimes and end the radicalization of vulnerable Londoners.

Mr Khan said: “Sadly, as we mark the 20th anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, violent extremism remains one of the greatest threats facing many cities around the world, including London.

“Nothing is more important to me than keeping Londoners safe.

“Since last year, the projects we have supported have already directly benefited 25,000 people and reached over 600,000 in total.

“This additional investment will allow us to reach several thousand more.”

The lockdown restrictions meant that many Londoners spent more time online, which increased the risk of exposure to harmful content.

Mr Khan said this has led to an increase in online disinformation and conspiracy theories used to promote hatred and violence.

Projects run by the Shared Endeavor Fund have taken place in all 32 London boroughs targeting right-wing extremism, racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and misogyny.

The program ranges from activities such as community activism, sports and the arts to educational workshops and guest speakers.

Nigel Bromage, Managing Director of Exit UK – which helps people leave far-right groups, added: ‘As London now seeks to emerge from the pandemic and rebuild itself stronger, we must now do what we do. do the best: come together when needed and be there for each other, no matter where we come from.

“At the same time, we know that extremism and intolerance have not gone away and there are many who intend to use the current situation, with all the uncertainties and conspiracy theories brought by the pandemic, to sow division and hatred within our communities.

“By working in partnership, we can overcome hatred and intolerance and build a Britain we are all proud of.”

Singaporean law student Jonathan Mok was assaulted on Oxford Street by a racist teenager who told him: ‘I don’t want your coronavirus in my country’.

The 15-year-old boy and his friends kicked and punched the 23-year-old while he was lying on the floor in February 2020.

Highbury Corner Youth Court heard that Mr Mok had been targeted because of his Asian appearance.

He suffered a broken nose and cheekbone, which required facial surgery, and was fortunate not to lose sight of one eye.

Magistrates sentenced the boy to an 18-month-old youth rehabilitation order, including 24 hours of repairs and a ten-week curfew between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.

The teenager is also due to pay Mr Mok £ 600 in compensation over the next two and a half years.

In February, university professor Peng Wang, 37, from China, was punched and kicked on the ground while jogging in Southampton.

The father-of-one said he has seen racism against Asians increase since former US President Donald Trump used the phrase “the Chinese virus” to describe Covid-19.

In May, Bonnie Kwok, 43, principal of London Hackney Chinese Community School, recounted how students were subjected to racist abuse on the way to class.

South Korean cook Songsoo Kim, 33, also from London, said she was the victim of racist slurs. A client asked her if she was eligible to work in the UK.

A 33-year-old woman from Borneo, named only Vivian, had a bottle of Corona beer thrown away while walking her dog in an Edinburgh park in June last year.