An MP has called for an urgent inquiry after it was revealed some 14% of all those behind bars are Muslim, up from 8% a decade ago.

New data uncovered in answer to parliamentary questions tabled by Sadiq Khan MP has revealed the growing number of Muslims in prisons in England and Wales.

One in 7 of all prisoners, nearly triple the 4.7% of the population of England and Wales that are Muslim.

Fourteen prisons have a population that is at least a quarter Muslim, and at Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire 2 out of 5 prisoners are Muslim.

Half of the top 10 prisons with the biggest Muslim population are in London.

Sadiq Khan said: “It is astonishing and a huge concern that one in seven prisoners is Muslim. This is compared to just one in twenty of the population. And in some parts of the country, 40% of all prisoners are Muslim. What’s really worrying is the rise, year after year, in the number of Muslims behind bars.

“The Government doesn't appear to think is a cause for concern let alone taking steps to address this growing trend. Their complacency is breathtaking.

“We need to know why there is this upward trend if we’re to stop this rising further, reduce crime and prevent people needlessly becoming victims”

He added: “Back in 2010, the Chief Inspector called on the Government to put in place a National Strategy for dealing with the rise in Muslim Prisoners.

"Four years on and Conservative and Lib Dem Ministers have ignored this call. While they have their heads in the sand, the numbers of Muslims behind bars continues to rise. The Government appears utterly clueless about what to do about this growing problem.

"This is a waste of human talent and a huge drain on the hard-pressed taxpayer. “If we want to reduce crime, and save money on the costs of prisons and probation, we need to get to the bottom of why there is such growth in numbers of Muslims behind bars."