A new independent study shows Tower Hamlets has some of the highest rates of community cohesion in the country, despite being the most densely populated place in England and Wales.
The latest Annual Residents Survey showed that 9 out of 10 residents (90 per cent) agree that ‘this local area is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together’– up from last year’s figure of 87 per cent.
This is more remarkable given that Tower Hamlets is an inner London borough, the most densely populated place in the country, and has the fastest growing population.
In Tower Hamlets between 2011 and 2021 the population grew by 22.1 per cent. Now on average, 112 people live on a football pitch sized area compared to the national average of just three people (2021 Census).
Tower Hamlets also has one of the most diverse populations in the country. This includes having the nation’s biggest Muslim population, as well as a proud heritage of other communities including Jewish, Somali, Bengali and traditional white English. More than 137 languages are spoken and 43 per cent of residents were born in more than 200 different countries.
The situation in the Middle East has put pressure on communities up and down the country. Tower Hamlets is no different. A significant part of its success has been the work of groups such as the Inter Faith Forum, which brings together leaders from different faiths to advise and work alongside our diverse communities. The council also oversees the Tower Hamlets Tension Monitoring Group which meets regularly to discuss issues such as cohesion, community feeling and how issues affect residents.
The council also runs a ‘No Place for Hate’ campaign. So far, 5,850 people and 207 organisations have signed up to the campaign which promotes respect and tolerance and celebrates different cultures and religions in the borough all year round.
Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “Tower Hamlets is a beacon for community cohesion.
“We are the most densely populated place in the country and one of the most diverse places, yet 90 per cent of our residents say they get on well with each other.
“The conflict in the Middle East is very emotive to people, yet over the past 12 months we have seen an increase in the number of residents saying those from different backgrounds get on well together.
“That is testament to the measures the council has in place to monitor community tension and bring people together. Most of all it is testament to our residents themselves, who respect and support each other. People are proud to live in Tower Hamlets and we are proud to serve them.”
Sufia Alam, Chair of the Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum said: “I’m proud to see the latest results from the Annual Residents Survey, which shows how unified communities are in Tower Hamlets.
“During times of difficulty or unrest, our strength is showing how diversity can bring our communities closer together. We are proudly a no place for hate borough and will continue work to support residents in tackling all forms of hate and be proactive in challenging discrimination.”
Posted on Monday 7th October 2024