The Home Office has announced the scrapping of non-crime hate incidents, a move that follows a review of thousands of cases recorded by police forces across the UK. These incidents, where no criminal offence occurred but were reported due to perceived hostility, have included bizarre examples such as a workplace fuss over a genital Where's Wally tattoo and someone sticking an Adolf Hitler moustache on their face.
Questionable Uses of Police Time
Under current rules, police are expected to record non-crime hate incidents when individuals report events they believe are motivated by prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or transgender identity. However, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that officers should focus on core duties like patrolling streets and catching criminals, rather than logging everyday rows and online spats.
This decision comes after a review by the College of Policing and National Police Chiefs' Council, which will introduce a tighter definition for incidents requiring police involvement. Freedom of information requests by The Independent revealed that while many incidents in 2024 met guidelines, several appeared questionable.
Notable Cases Recorded by Police
Bedfordshire Police logged a "fuss" in a workplace when a colleague described a Where's Wally tattoo on his genitals, with the incident also including comments about a cap being called a "durag," perceived as racist. Cumbria Police recorded an incident where two white women sang a song with Africa in the lyrics near a Black female, seen as a hate incident due to race.
The same force documented a man stating on public forums that European Union citizens steal jobs without contributing to society. Additionally, an incident was recorded after someone made a sticker resembling an Adolf Hitler moustache and stuck it to their face.
Other examples include Staffordshire Police recording a Palestine flag sticker on a shop shelf calling for an Israeli produce boycott, and North Wales Police logging a neighbour parking too closely and a pentagram spray-painted on a lawn, linked to religious hatred.
Further Incidents and Criticism
Humberside Police recorded a learner vehicle blocking a guide dog owner's way with a "smirking" driver, and an incident where a male pupil called someone "Rishi." Dorset Police summarised an incident as "brown sauce over car," while Dyfed-Powys Police logged a dispute over radio static noise that started from an argument about a chicken.
Critics, including Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, have argued that non-crime hate incidents should be scrapped, blaming poorly worded legislation and unclear guidance. Jones emphasised that police should not respond to incidents that are not crimes.
Decline in Recorded Incidents
The Home Office updated its code of practice in 2023 to raise the threshold for recording personal data on non-crime hate incidents, addressing freedom of speech concerns. This change appears to have contributed to a decline in recorded cases. In the 12 months ending 31 October last year, 6,684 incidents were logged by 29 police forces, down from 7,036 the previous year and 8,389 in 2020/21.
Police Scotland recorded the most incidents at 1,173, followed by South Yorkshire at 513 and Nottinghamshire at 465. Lord Herbert of South Downs, College of Policing chair, suggested a need for "rebalancing" to allow police to focus on their job rather than "mere disputes" that damage public confidence.
Future Changes and Focus
Following the announcement, the Home Office will update the national standard with a narrower definition, ensuring police involvement is more closely tied to core duties such as preventing crime, protecting life and property, and maintaining public order. This overhaul aims to streamline police work and enhance community safety by eliminating unnecessary recordings of non-criminal matters.
