UK Government Announces End to Police Recording of Non-Crime Hate Incidents

The UK government has declared that police forces will no longer be required to record non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs)—cases where no criminal offence has occurred but a person perceives hostility or prejudice—following a policy change announced this week. The Home Office will instruct officers to focus on core duties such as patrolling communities and tackling crime, in response to findings that current NCHI recording often captures minor disputes and questionable cases across England and Wales.

This change arrives after a review by the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs' Council, which recommended tightening the definition of incidents necessitating police attention. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that officers should prioritize patrolling, catching criminals, and keeping communities safe. The Home Office also said national standards would be revised, setting a higher threshold for when police should intervene, focusing on preventing and detecting crime, protecting life and property, and maintaining public order.

Freedom of Information requests recently revealed that a wide variety of incidents—ranging from workplace arguments to complaints about stickers resembling Adolf Hitler moustaches, song lyrics perceived as racist, and parking disputes—were previously recorded as NCHIs by police forces. In the 12 months ending October 2023, 6,684 NCHIs were logged by 29 forces, a decrease from previous years. Police Scotland reported the highest number at 1,173.

The update follows mounting criticism of the NCHI system for consuming police resources and blurring the line between criminal and non-criminal matters. A 2023 code of practice had already raised the bar for NCHI recording in response to free speech concerns. Critics, including Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, have argued that police should not respond to incidents where no crime has been committed.

The new rules will take effect following finalization of the revised national standards. The government says this will ensure police attention remains targeted on crime prevention and community safety, ending the routine recording of everyday disputes as hate incidents.