Armed British police patrol London's Leicester Square, Thursday July 28, 2005

London police say religiously motivated hate crimes have soared 600 percent since the July 7 suicide bombings.

Authorities report 269 incidents in the British capital in the three weeks since the attacks. Only 40 such crimes were reported during the same period last year.

The attacks include verbal and physical assaults and vandalism of property including mosques.

Officials warn that such attacks could alienate the Muslim community at a time when police need its cooperation.

The four bombers in the July 7 attack were Muslims, but many young Muslims say they are angered over police stopping and searching their bags in the subway.

British Home Office official Hazel Blears denied Tuesday that Muslims are being targeted in the searches.

Some information for this report provided by AFP.