Christians Under Attack

The July 7 suicide bombings last year left Britons feeling substantially less comfortable about having a Muslim neighbour, boss or in-law, a survey has revealed.

	Terraced houses surround a mosque in the Hyde Park area of Leeds

While the majority of people questioned after the attacks recognised that Muslims suffer discrimination and prejudice, they also admitted that they had become more negative towards followers of the religion.

Two surveys comparing attitudes to Muslims spoke to 2,895 people roughly one month before the July 7 suicide bombings, and 1,100 in the month afterwards.

The percentage of people who believe that Muslims make the security situation in Britain worse rose from 35 per cent to 53 per cent during that time.

Before July 7, 34 per cent said they would feel comfortable with a Muslim neighbour but this figure fell to 21 per cent after the bombings.

The percentage indicating they would feel comfortable with a Muslim boss fell from 37 per cent to 20 per cent, and those asked the same question about having a Muslim in-law dropped from 32 per cent to 27 per cent.

However, the poll found that people broadly shared a vision of Britain as an equal society with a common set of values.

The survey also reflected a sharp rise in concerns over immigration, with 75 per cent of respondents supporting stronger measures to exclude illegal immigrants from Britain, up from 59 per cent before July 7.

The findings will be presented today by Professor Dominic Abrams at the British Psychological Society's social psychology annual conference in Birmingham.

Earlier this week, a YouGov poll showed that one in six people in London admitted to moving seats on public transport to avoid a passenger they thought was Muslim.