Anti-Semitic and Islamophobic crimes have risen higher in Barnet in the past year than London overall, police figures show.

The borough, which has the largest Jewish population in the country, saw 120 reported anti-Semitic offences in the 12 months to July 2015, compared to 55 in the previous 12 months – a rise of 118.2 per cent.

There were also 22 Islamophobic crimes reported in the same period, compared to 11 the year before – an increase of 100 per cent.

Overall, London saw a 93.4 per cent increase in anti-Semitic offences, and a 70.7 per cent increase in Islamophobic crimes in the 12 months to July 2015.

Barnet also saw a higher rise in overall racist and religious hate crime than the rest of London, with a 37 per cent increase – from 354 to 485 incidents – compared to a 26.9 per cent increase in London overall.

The Metropolitan Police attributed the increase in recorded Islamophobic offences in London to a growing willingness of victims to report hate crime, an improved awareness of police in identifying offences, and the Met’s work with partners to support victims.

The force also said world events can “influence a rise” in hate crime incidents, as can holy days, due to increased numbers of visibly Muslim and Jewish people travelling to and from their place of worship.

Commander Mak Chishty, the Met’s hate crime lead, said:  "We will not tolerate hate crime and take positive action to investigate all allegations, support victims and arrest offenders.

"Victims of hate crime must be assured that they will be taken seriously by the police. We have more than 900 specialist officers across London working in our Community Safety Units who are dedicated to investigating hate crime.

"We are always seeking ways to increase reporting and work with a number of third party reporting sites, such as the CST, so that victims who feel unable to approach police direct can report crime to non-police organisations and individuals. Victims of hate crime can in addition now report online on the Met's website.”

He added: "No one should suffer in silence, so please report hate crime to us as soon as possible so we can act."

In a report published in July by Jewish security charity the CST, more than a third of anti-Semitic incidents recorded in London in the first half of 2015 were shown to have taken place in Barnet.

The charity said it was “likely” the primary reason for the increase is a rise in reporting of such incidents by victims and witnesses, due to an “increase in Jewish communal concern about anti-Semitism.”

Commenting on the report in July, chief executive of the CST David Delew said: “We welcome the apparent increase in the reporting of anti-Semitic incidents, but we regret the concern and the anxiety about anti-Semitism that this reflects, and we will continue to work with the police, the Government and other partners to reduce anti-Semitism and to protect our Jewish community.”