London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced an additional £875,000 investment to support grassroots efforts aimed at tackling hate, intolerance, and extremism in the capital.

This new funding will help empower community groups to address rising antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crimes and counter the spread of far-right narratives online.

As tensions escalate in Lebanon, Israel, Gaza, and the wider region, the Mayor urged Londoners to remain united and avoid letting the conflict fuel divisions or hate crimes locally. His actions come in response to an alarming rise in hate incidents and a record number of arrests involving young people under 17 for terrorism-related offences.

This investment is part of the Mayor’s broader £15 million initiative to combat hate and extremism in London. Since the program began in 2020, it has supported 95 community-led projects, reaching more than 140,000 Londoners. This latest round of funding will benefit 20 additional groups, including the Anne Frank Trust UK and Stand Up!, which provide educational workshops that address antisemitism and Islamophobia, as well as EXIT Hate UK, which helps young people understand the dangers of far-right extremism.

The Mayor's Shared Endeavour Fund has been instrumental in building resilience against radicalisation and reducing hate across London. The latest round of investment will support an estimated 50,000 Londoners through educational workshops, interfaith programs, and community activities.

This announcement comes as London marks the first anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks and the ensuing conflict in Gaza, which continues to affect many Londoners, particularly those with ties to the region. The Mayor's measures to combat rising hate crime are being implemented alongside continued collaboration with the Metropolitan Police and community leaders to ensure the safety of all Londoners.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “We know that an escalation in conflict in the Middle East often leads to an increase in hate crime here in London. With the appalling further escalation of the conflict in Lebanon, Israel, Gaza and the region, I’m appealing to Londoners to continue to look out for their friends and neighbours whatever their faith and backgrounds and stand united against all forms of hate.

“We have seen an abhorrent and completely unacceptable rise in hate crime over the last year – particularly antisemitism and Islamophobia which has profoundly impacted our Jewish and Muslim communities in London. I’m determined to continue to work in partnership with community, faith and police leaders to ensure everyone in the capital feels safe and is safe.

“Hate crime comes in many forms and I’m determined to tackle it head on by investing in grassroots projects which empower our communities to stand up to hate and intolerance where they are, so that we can stop the spread of hateful narratives, reject extremist ideologies and do more to safeguard vulnerable young Londoners from radicalisation and misinformation online.

“At a time of rising tension and online hate, this scheme will continue to build bridges across communities, embrace what we have in common and help ensure Londoners of all backgrounds and faiths feel welcome, safe and can thrive.”

Met Assistant Commissioner, Matt Twist, said: “Nobody should feel unsafe or in fear going about their lives in this city, certainly not on the basis of their race or religion.

“Since October last year we have seen a really concerning rise in hate crime with both antisemitic and Islamophobic offences increasing significantly. For the past year we have had a dedicated policing operation tackling hate crime in communities, responding to significant protest, countering extremism and terrorism, and working to provide reassurance particularly in parts of London with significant Jewish and Muslim populations.

“As the situation in the Middle East becomes less certain once again, we know that fears and tensions will rise here at home too. Our work, which is underpinned by engagement with community representatives and with our key partners, will continue. Together, we are determined to demonstrate that there will be no tolerance for hate crime in London.” Photo by Chabad Lubavitch, Wikimedia commons.