Police Scotland ‘eroding public trust’ over non-crime hate incidents

Police Scotland has been slammed for failing to reveal the number of recently recorded non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs), after the Metropolitan Police announced that it would stop investigating them.

According to the latest data, Police Scotland reported 2,467 hate crimes from April to June this year, but did not follow the usual practice of publishing the number of NCHIs.

Last month, the Metropolitan Police said that ending investigations of such allegations would “provide clearer direction for officers, reduce ambiguity and enable them to focus on matters that meet the threshold for criminal investigations”. But the force will still log NCHIs, which can appear on enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

‘Weaponised’

Chief Superintendent Rob Hay, who is President of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, warned that NCHIs can potentially have a “chilling effect on free speech and erode an already fragile balance of public trust and confidence”.

Fiona McAnena, Director of Campaigns at Sex Matters, added: “What is Police Scotland hiding by failing to disclose data on non-crime hate incidents? NCHIs have long been weaponised by activists against people who hold mainstream views about biological sex.

“It is concerning that Police Scotland will not provide this information, and it does nothing to rebuild trust in the police.”

In response to criticism, a Police Scotland spokesperson stated: “Officers deal with a range of matters which are not criminal, and the recording of non-crime hate incidents has been in place for many years.”

Northern Ireland

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has also refused to stop recording NCHIs.

It told the Belfast News Letter: “there is no plan to change the current recording procedures followed by the PSNI where both crimes and incidents are recorded”.

The UK’s National Police Chief’s Council is due to report on its review of NCHIs next month.