'Everybody knows, but nobody does anything': New report claims there's widespread Islamophobia in Luton

​The findings, from FACES Luton, the Raise Up Foundation and the Courtney Foundation, were based on a survey of 209 both Muslim and non-Muslim people who described a climate of fear and growing alienation.

​More than half (51 per cent) of Muslim respondents reported feeling ‘less safe’ or ‘less welcome’ over the past six months than they had before.

A spokesperson for Luton Borough Council thanked organisers for publishing the report.

They said: "Everyone in Luton deserves to feel safe, supported and that they belong in our town and the experiences shared in the report are a powerful reminder of the impact that Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred continue to have on people's lives.”

​Tony Thompson, co-chair of FACES Luton, a partnership between Muslims and Christians in the town, said Islamophobia was “not a Muslim problem".

​He explained: “It is a problem about the kind of town we are willing to be. The burden of naming it has fallen, once again, on the community experiencing it.

​“The responsibility for changing the institutions and structures that produce it falls on all of us. We need to work together to eliminate all forms of racism, including Islamophobia.”

​The report also described distrust in institutions, including the police.

​Of the Muslims surveyed, 38 per cent said the police ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ treated them fairly and with respect.​

The report read: “Trust in public services is deeply fractured. Among those who had experienced Islamophobia, the overwhelming majority reported that they received no support afterwards.”

​One respondent said: “There is a disconnect with the police service - often if a criminal act has happened to a Muslim, the law tends to disregard the seriousness of the offence.”

Chief Inspector Chris Simmons, from Bedfordshire Police said: “We understand that hate crime can have a significant impact, which is why we are committed to making Bedfordshire a safe place for everyone. We take all reports of hate crime seriously and would encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed it to report it to us, or to Stop Hate UK.

“Our Neighbourhood Policing and Community Cohesion teams work closely with a broad range of partners, including local authorities, faith groups, community organisations, support services and local individuals to help prevent and understand hate crime, support victims and bring offenders to justice.

“We also regularly engage with our Independent Advisory Groups (IAG), whose insight and feedback help us better understand the experiences and concerns of the diverse communities we serve. By continuing to listen, learn and work together, we can build trust, increase confidence in reporting and ensure Bedfordshire remains a welcoming and inclusive county for all.”

​The Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, John Tizard, said: “The report demonstrates the corrosive impact of Islamophobia in Luton and how it is affecting communities across the town.

​“The research and analysis show the extent and reach of prejudice and discrimination against, and the harm inflicted on, Muslim residents.

​“This is simply wrong and unacceptable.

​“We all have a duty to call out and challenge Islamophobia whenever and wherever it occurs and whoever practices it.”

​He called on people to “challenge and oppose far right politicians and those in the media who promote, fuel, and seek to provide cover or even respectability for Islamophobia”.

​Those surveyed also expressed their frustrations over perceived double standards.

The report read: “Another respondent noted that Palestine flags were repeatedly removed in the town while flags erected by far-right groups remained undisturbed, including one displayed outside a mosque.”

People also described hate and racism they experienced in daily life.

One person said: “I’ve been sworn at multiple times, and you have things like going into a supermarket and people whispering disgusting racist things under their breath as they walk past you.”

Another added: “Everybody knows, but nobody does anything. We don’t matter.”

​A series of recommendations was set out for Luton Borough Council, schools and colleges, Bedfordshire Police, the NHS and employers.

​This included embedding anti-racism education into the curriculum; introducing clear procedures for Islamophobia bullying reporting; conducting an institutional audit of how Islamophobic incidents are investigated; and reviewing how Muslim patients experience healthcare in Luton.

The council spokesperson said they were “pleased that the report recognises the progress already being made and we're already working with partners, including Bedfordshire Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service community organisations and faith leaders, to deliver many of its recommendations such as security guidance and support and weekly partnership visits. We welcome the opportunity to continue this collaborative work”.

They continued: "This forms part of our wider commitment through our No Place for Hate programme to tackle all forms of racism, discrimination and hate and we are active in our involvement in Islamophobia Awareness Month to help encourage awareness.

"We also welcome the adoption of the non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim hatred nationally which is designed to protect people from targeted hostility and we will be embedding this within our work locally. A motion was also recently agreed by Full Council to use and promote this updated definition of Islamophobia.

"There is absolutely no place for Islamophobia, faith-based hatred, racism or any other form of hate here in Luton and we want to make that really clear so together with our partners and communities, we will continue working to ensure everyone who lives, works and studies here feels safe, respected and heard."

​John Tizard pledged to “do whatever I can to oppose Islamophobia, and all other forms of racial and faith-based hatred”.