New Rules Slash Police Recording of ‘Non-Crime Hate Incidents’
Police will now only record non-crime hate incidents if there’s clear, deliberate hostility and a real risk of serious harm. The Home Secretary has unveiled fresh guidance aiming to protect free speech and personal data from unnecessary police involvement.
Freedom of Expression Takes Centre Stage
The new draft code of practice, presented to Parliament today, clamps down on recording non-crime hate events unless strictly necessary. It’s not enough to be offended – incidents must meet a tough threshold.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:
“I have been deeply concerned about reports of the police wrongly getting involved in lawful debate in this country.”
“Officers must always keep freedom of expression front and centre.”
“This new code ensures police focus on serious crimes like burglary, violent offences, and sexual crimes.”
Striking the Right Balance on Hate
The safeguards mean personal data will only be logged if the incident shows intentional hostility with a real chance of escalating into serious harm or a criminal act. This tackles fears that people expressing lawful but unpopular opinions were being unfairly flagged.
Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire Chris Philp added:
“We support police tackling actual hate crime while making sure their focus stays on catching dangerous criminals.”
“That’s why we require a clear bar before incidents like this are recorded.”
Police Leaders Back the Change
Chief Constable Stephen Watson of manchester-police/" title="Greater Manchester Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Greater Manchester Police welcomed the move. He stressed the importance of robust action against genuine hate crimes, but insisted “it is not automatically unlawful to say or do things which can be unpleasant, hurtful, distasteful or offensive.”
“This guidance fairly distinguishes what needs police attention and what should be protected free speech,” Watson said. “I consider the revised code timely and welcome.”
A Push for Common Sense Policing
The updated code comes as part of Home Secretary Braverman’s drive for “common sense policing.” This includes plans for 20,000 new officers by March, the highest police numbers England and Wales has ever seen.
- Police will send officers to every domestic burglary.
- New plans target anti-social behaviour harming communities.
- A partnership with health services aims to free officers from mental health call-outs to focus on crime fighting.
The government is set on cutting red tape that distracts police from keeping the public safe and hunting down real criminals.
