The Community Security Trust (CST) has published its detailed (36 pages) Antisemitic Incidents Report, 2009. This is available on the Trust’s website at http://www.thecst.org.uk/docs/CST-incidents-report-09-for-web.pdf
The CST has been monitoring anti-Semitic incidents in the United Kingdom on an annual basis since 1984. A registered charity since 1994, the CST has 55 full-time staff and 3,000 volunteers who provide physical security, training and advice for the protection of British Jews; represent Jewry to Government and police in respect of matters affecting security and anti-Semitism; and assist victims of anti-Semitism.
924 anti-Semitic incidents were recorded by the CST in the United Kingdom in 2009, the highest annual total since statistics commenced, and 55 per cent more than the previous high of 598 incidents in 2006. This 924 represents an increase of 69 per cent on the 2008 figure of 546 and follows two years in which incidents had fallen.
The main reason for this new peak of incidents is the unprecedented number recorded in January and February 2009 (288 and 114 respectively), during and after the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The level of incidents did not return to something like a ‘normal’ figure until April. 23 per cent of all incidents during the year included a reference to Gaza.
The majority (605) incidents in 2009 were categorized as involving abusive behaviour, followed by 121 instances of assault, both being the highest ever recorded figures. The remaining types of anti-Semitism were: damage and desecration (89), literature (62), threats (44) and extreme violence (3).
There was a close correlation between the number of incidents and areas of Jewish concentration, with 460 incidents being reported for Greater London, 206 for Greater Manchester and 258 from more than 70 other locations throughout the country.
In addition to the 924 confirmed anti-Semitic incidents in 2009, CST investigated a further 489 cases which it ultimately judged not to be anti-Semitic in nature.
The 2009 report includes, at page 35, monthly incident figures for 1999-2009. Detailed reports for 2005-08 inclusive are also available on the CST website.
