The number of antisemitic incidents recorded in Britain fell by a third in the first six months of the year.

Figures released today by the Community Security Trust reveal 219 incidents were reported between January and the end of June.

That number represents a 30 per cent decrease on the same period in 2012. It is also the lowest half-yearly figure since 2003.

Among the attacks were 29 classed as “violent antisemitic assaults”, but none were reported in the “extreme violence” category.

Damage to Jewish property, verbal abuse, graffiti and antisemitic messages on social media sites were among the reported incidents.

Although the national figures showed a decline, in Manchester there was a slight rise – 81 reported incidents compared to 79 in the first half of last year.

CST spokesman Mark Gardner said: “Any fall in the number of antisemitic incidents that take place is to be welcomed, but we are always wary of reading too much into short-term trends as we know that a lot of hate crime goes unreported.”