There is 'very little' tension between Muslims and Jews in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, despite the Muslim community’s fear of reprisal, the police and crime commissioner has said.

Following the Palestinian militant group Hamas' attacks in Israel earlier this month, which saw hundreds of Jewish people killed and hostages taken, the country has been on the brink of war.

Palestinians have been killed due to Israeli air strikes in Gaza and dwindling food, water and fuel in the area has led to a humanitarian crisis.

Donna Jones told a recent Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Panel that despite tensions between the two religious groups in EU countries as a result of the conflict, this is not the case in our county.

PCC Donna Jones said: “There is a lot of fear within the Muslim community at the moment about reprisals on them because people think because of what Hamas has done, there would be a perception in the country that if you are a Muslim person, you are therefore sympathetic towards Hamas and that terrorist organisation.

“We know there is fear on both sides, so I have written to all faith leaders to reassure them that the police force and I are there to support all of them.

“Currently, community tensions and fears across Hampshire and Isle of Wight are very calm. There have been four or five pro-Palestine public support for Palestine [demonstrations]. They are led by students of either side of this religious conflict who show their public support for their position."

Despite UK’s Home Secretary Suella Braverman said that waving a Palestine flag or singing a chant advocating freedom for Arabs may be a criminal offence, thousands of people have shown their support in the UK for the Palestinians that have been killed due to Israeli air strikes in Gaza.

Several such demonstrations have been held in Southampton, such as one held by the Southampton Palestinian Solidarity Campaign on October 10 outside the Civic Centre.

PCC Jones said Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has a thorough plan to act if the situation becomes delicate.

She said: “Particularly in our cities, without wanting to point the finger at them, there can be a tendency for things to go from zero to a hundred very quickly. The police are very mindful of that, and when this started to happen two weeks ago, I spoke to the Chief about it, and he reassured me that there is a plan in place.

“I feel very happy that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary have a very solid, well-considered plan for dealing with any incidents happening as a consequence of the situation in the Middle East.”

Chief Constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, Scott Chilton added: “We have changed some of our procedures to accelerate our response when reporting hate crimes through our contact centre. Daily meetings occur within the force to ensure community tension is fully understood, and we report those nationally so we get a national picture.

“We have very little crime associated or reported in relation to this event. So far, things are in check.

"We all anticipate that this is going to be a long-ongoing period of conflict that will affect our communities moving forward.”