#non-crime-hate-incidents

#non-crime-hate-incidents

The Metropolitan police has been lauded in some quarters for deciding that it will no longer investigate so-called non-crime hate incidents, in order to allow officers to focus on matters that meet the threshold for criminal investigations. Against the context of headlines describing the Met as the thought police, something was bound to give. Goodbye and good riddance to non-crime' was one joyful take in the Spectator.

We understand the concern around this case. The commissioner has been clear he doesn't believe officers should be policing toxic culture war debates, with current laws and rules on inciting violence online leaving them in an impossible position. As a result, the Met will no longer investigate non-crime hate incidents. We believe this will provide clearer direction for officers, reduce ambiguity and enable them to focus on matters that meet the threshold for criminal investigations.

Non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) are recorded by police to help assess community tensions and try to head off trouble. Some, most vocally on the political right, see this as a threat to free speech. Cooke, who leads HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, said: I'm a firm believer that non-crime hate incidents are no longer required, and that intelligence can be gathered in a different way, which would cause less concern to the public and would make recording of such issues much easier for policing.

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