The number of hate crimes against religious groups in the U.S. jumped more than 8 percent during 2008, said a report by the FBI.

 

In all, 7,783 hate crimes were included in the FBI's 2008 Hate Crime Statistics report. The report covers crimes involving a victim who was targeted because of race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity/national origin or disability.

 

 

The biggest year-over-year increase was in attacks on religious groups, which rose from 1,400 in 2007 to 1,519 in 2008. Most of the reports involved crimes against Jewish people, although attacks against Catholics and "anti-other religion" showed the biggest percentage increase. Crimes against Muslims fell from 115 in 2007 to 105 this year, according to the report.

 

The report said that most of the crimes involve vandalism and intimidation, but they also range from assault to rape and murder.