Police leaders have called for non-hate crime laws to be scrapped and replaced with a more common-sense approach. Non-hate crime incidents are defined as behaviour motivated by hostility or prejudice but which does not constitute a criminal offence. Under the system proposed by police leaders, only the most serious cases would be formally addressed, with incidents instead recorded as antisocial behaviour where appropriate.
The recommendation follows a review conducted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing, which will be submitted to the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood.
The review comes after police forces across England and Wales have been inundated with reports of non-hate crime incidents over the past year. This has resulted in significant pressure on already stretched police resources, forcing forces to make difficult decisions about where their time and capacity are best deployed amid rising levels of crime.
Commenting on the report, Janet said:
“I welcome this review from police leaders. Police resources are already stretched thin, and non-hate crime laws have placed additional and unnecessary pressure on forces this year.
With crime increasing in many areas, police officers are needed on the streets tackling serious offences and keeping communities safe.
On top of this, there are serious concerns around freedom of speech. The police should not be put in the position of deciding what constitutes lawful expression. The UK Government must do more to protect freedom of speech while ensuring the police are properly supported to focus on genuine criminality.”
