It is no exaggeration to suggest that London is the most successful example of multiculturalism anywhere in the world. A city of roughly nine million people of every ethnicity, every religion and none, where more than 300 languages are spoken and people from all over the world call home. Our diversity is our strength.
Of course, problems persist. Latest Home Office figures show that religious and transgender hate crimes rose last year (2022-23). That comes despite a five per cent drop in the overall number of hate crimes. The statistics reveal 8,378 religious hate crimes, an increase of nine per cent on the year, with Muslims followed by Jewish people the worst affected. Offences against transgender people rose 11 per cent.
