Happy now?
Attacks against Muslims rise eight-foldPolice said today that attacks against Muslims has risen eight-fold in London since the murder of a soldier in Woolwich.
Met Police commander Simon Letchford said around eight Islamophobic incidents a day were taking place in the capital, up from the usual rate of a single daily incident.
He also indicated that abuse of Muslims may be more widespread than figures suggest due to under-reporting and that the Met had stepped up security at some Islamic centres.
Mr Letchford urged Londoners to "stand shoulder to shoulder" in response to the murder of Lee Rigby in Woolwich.
His comments came as it was announced that four teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with a fire at an Islamic school in Chislehurst, south-east London on Saturday evening.
The blaze at Darul Uloom boarding school occurred just days after an Islamic centre in Muswell Hill was razed to the ground amid suspicions it was a racist attack.
Far-right groups including the English Defence League and the BNP have attempted to exploit the Woolwich murder to further their own Islamophobic agendas.
Mr Letchford told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We have put additional police resources outside a number of premises which we think are vulnerable."
He added: "Clearly this is a time for Londoners to come together after the tragic murder of Lee Rigby and we would encourage people to remain calm, to provide information to us on anybody who they believe is carrying out these criminal acts.
"We will do everything we can both to protect premises but also to bring to justice those who break the law."
The attacks mainly involved verbal abuse, but some had been more serious, he said.
"Predominantly it's name calling, it's minor criminal damage but on some occasions, like the two arsons we have heard of, there are serious crimes." he said.
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