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The recent prosecution of a man for a disruptive incident at a Peterborough mosque has drawn sharp attention to the alarming and sustained rise in anti-Muslim hate crime and the widespread targeting of mosques across the UK.
Peterborough Perpetrator Pleads Guilty
Alexander Hooper, 57, of Dogsthorpe, entered the Alma Road Mosque before 7 am on Friday, October 24, where he engaged in disorderly and abusive behaviour toward worshippers. Following the incident, Hooper appeared at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, October 25. He pleaded guilty to religiously aggravated harassment and assaulting an emergency worker. However, he pleaded not guilty to racially aggravated harassment and a racially aggravated public order offence. Hooper has been released on bail under strict conditions, including a ban from attending the mosque, and is scheduled to next appear at Peterborough Magistrates' Court on November 26.
Cambridgeshire Police Superintendent Ben Martin acknowledged the "impact this incident has had on the community," stating the importance of swift legal action and assuring an increased police presence near mosques for reassurance. Peterborough City Council Leader Shabina Qayyum publicly expressed her distress and anger over the incident and the broader "sheer amount of hate being directed towards Muslims," vowing to address the issue at the highest level of government to ensure the community's safety.
National Scrutiny: Mosques Under Attack
The incident in Peterborough is a stark local manifestation of a national crisis of Islamophobia that has seen significant escalation in recent months, often linked to geopolitical events and far-right activity. This wave of hate is clearly demonstrated by police and monitoring group data, showing Muslims and their places of worship are increasingly vulnerable.
Anti-Muslim and Mosque Incidents (Last Three Months, July–October)
Anti-Muslim hate has spiked sharply following key events this year, including a surge in August 2024. The monitoring group Tell MAMA documented a significant rise in cases between June and September 2025, with 17 mosques and Islamic institutions being targeted during this period alone. Specific, high-profile incidents include:
- Arson Attack: The Peacehaven Mosque in East Sussex was the target of a suspected arson attack on October 4, 2025.
- Widespread Riots: Mosques in several locations, including Southport, Hull, and Sunderland, were targeted in the violent disorder that followed the tragic Southport murders in July 2024, demonstrating an organised far-right response.
- Terrorism Plot: Three extremists were recently sentenced to a combined 29 years for planning a terrorist attack on a Leeds mosque, highlighting the extreme threat faced by Muslim communities.
Islamophobia Statistics and Data
The gravity of the threat is confirmed by official figures for England and Wales (year ending March 2025). The data confirms that anti-Muslim hate is not only rising but is the most frequently recorded religious hate crime:
- Muslims were the target of 44% of all religious hate crimes recorded by police.
- Anti-Muslim hate crimes rose by almost one-fifth (19%) year-on-year.
- In concrete numbers, 3,199 anti-Muslim hate crime offences were recorded, an increase from 2,690 in the previous year.
In recognition of this escalating threat, the government recently committed an additional ÂŁ10 million to boost security at mosques and Muslim faith centres across the country, providing measures like CCTV and secure fencing. Community leaders and victims assert that this funding is essential but stress that greater political leadership and a concerted effort to dismantle institutional biases are necessary to tackle the root causes of the hatred.
