A London-based organisation has launched a new reporting platform for anti-Hindu hate crime amid concerns about a rise in religiously motivated offences. Harrow is home to the largest Hindu community in London, but the borough's London Assembly Member says there have been 'worrying reports' of residents feeling targeted or unsafe in public spaces.
Rise in Faith-Based Hate Crimes
Faith-based hate crimes increased by 58 per cent between January and April of this year compared to the same period in last year, according to figures from the Greater London Assembly (GLA). Previously, there was no formal system for reporting anti-Hindu hate, but a new platform called the Anti-Hindu Hate Monitor has been created to gather more evidence. The platform, which is based on a similar website for reporting anti-Semitic hate incidents, aims to record both in-person and online attacks against Hindus across the UK by filling out a website form. It comes after concerns about these types of incidents were first raised last year at City Hall, highlighting the extent to which they went under-reported.
Development of the Monitoring System
The monitoring system was developed by Ornicha Daorueng, researcher and Head of the Future Faiths Desk at the International Centre for Sustainability (ICfS), after her research found growing concern around anti-Hindu hate but no formal system for recording related incidents. Despite being the third largest religious group in the country, the ICfS said Hindus continue to face hostility that is 'poorly defined, inconsistently recorded, and largely absent from policy conversations'. The Community Security Trust (CST), which operates a similar antisemitism reporting system, helped develop the platform based on its existing model. Their tool led to more than 3,700 anti-Semitic reports being processed in 2025 alone, and the ICfS hopes this new version will have the same impact.
The platform is designed to provide clearer definitions of what constitutes an anti-Hindu hate incident in order to support 'more accurate reporting and evidence gathering' so the police can respond accordingly. Ms Daorueng said: 'This platform has been developed to help address that gap by creating a dedicated reporting route, improving the quality and consistency of data collection, and building a better understanding of anti-Hindu hate in the UK. Without reliable data, effective policy is difficult to develop.' The data collected through the platform will contribute towards six-monthly and annual reports, which will be shared with government departments, the Home Office, the Met Police, public institutions, and communities.
Community Reaction
Trustee and Temple Management Committee Member at Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Temple in Pinner, Satish Patel, said: 'This new monitor is fantastic news for Hindus across not just Harrow and Brent, but the whole of London. From my involvement in the local community, I have heard many instances of hatred simply because of our beliefs. That is unacceptable. This clearer reporting process will help gather vital data, giving the police a better understanding of the scale and seriousness of the issue. I will make sure to share this across the communities I am connected to, and I encourage you all to do the same.'
The platform was officially launched last week (May 14) alongside London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow, Krupesh Hirani, who called it 'an important and much-needed step forward for Hindu communities, including here in Harrow'. He is calling on the Metropolitan Police to acknowledge and use the data gathered through the tool to support investigations. Hirani AM told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): 'No one should face abuse, intimidation or violence because of their faith. But I know from speaking to residents that too many people still feel incidents of anti-Hindu hate are not always reported, understood or acted upon. There have also been worrying reports of Hindu residents feeling targeted or unsafe in public spaces, which underlines why proper reporting and confidence in the system matter. A dedicated reporting portal can help build a clearer picture of the scale and nature of anti-Hindu hatred, give victims the confidence to come forward, and ensure the police and public authorities have the information they need to act. I would urge anyone in Harrow who experiences or witnesses anti-Hindu hate to report it. Every community deserves to feel safe, respected and protected.'
