In a significant shift in policing policy, the Conservative Party has called for a ban on the recording of "non-crime hate incidents" (NCHIs) by police officers, except in specific circumstances. The announcement comes from Kemi Badenoch, who revealed that her party plans to introduce an amendment to the government's Crime and Policing Bill. Under this proposed amendment, officers would only be allowed to log NCHIs if a senior officer deems the information crucial for preventing or solving future crimes.
NCHIs are defined as incidents perceived to be motivated by prejudice against characteristics such as race or gender, even if they do not amount to criminal offenses. According to the Home Office, these records help police monitor situations that could escalate into more serious harm or indicate rising community tensions. The practice was initiated following recommendations from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry in 1999, which sought to address racially motivated crimes.
However, Badenoch argues that the current system has become a misuse of police resources, stating, "NCHIs have wasted police time chasing ideology and grievance instead of justice." She criticized police efforts to monitor social media for potentially offensive content, suggesting that this focus detracts from their primary role of fighting crime and protecting families. "No wonder public trust in the police is falling," she added, pointing out that citizens perceive officers as being diverted from addressing real threats.
Today, April 22, 2025, marks the 33rd anniversary of the murder of Stephen Lawrence, a tragic event that has shaped discussions around race and policing in the UK. Badenoch's comments come at a time when the effectiveness of NCHIs is under scrutiny, with the Conservative government having already revised guidelines in 2023. These new guidelines stipulate that the identity of an individual alleged to have committed an offense can only be recorded if there is a significant risk of harm or a future criminal offense.
Furthermore, the guidelines instruct officers not to document an NCHI if the complaint is deemed trivial or if the incident lacks intentional hostility or prejudice. Recent figures obtained under freedom of information laws suggest that the number of recorded NCHIs has slightly decreased since 2021, indicating a shift in how these incidents are managed.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, who served as policing minister when the revised guidelines were implemented, expressed his support for the amendment, stating that it would prevent police forces from wasting time on what he termed "Orwellian nonsense." He emphasized that the focus should return to fighting real crime, reflecting the public's expectations of law enforcement.
In a counter to the Conservative stance, Policing Minister Diana Johnson criticized the party's approach, suggesting that they are "all over the place" on policing priorities. Johnson pointed out that the Conservatives had 14 years in office to establish clear policies in this area but failed to do so. She recalled Philp's previous comments as policing minister, where he asserted that incidents motivated by hostility or prejudice should be recorded as NCHIs.
Johnson argued that instead of introducing what she described as unworkable measures, the Conservatives should support the Labour government's focus on neighborhood policing and addressing serious violence. The ongoing debate around NCHIs reflects broader tensions in UK society regarding free speech, policing practices, and the balance between protecting citizens and upholding civil liberties.
The Conservative Party's proposed amendment has sparked discussions across the political spectrum, with supporters arguing it will restore common sense to policing and detractors warning it could undermine efforts to monitor and address hate crimes. As the conversation continues, the implications of these proposed changes will likely resonate throughout the community, influencing public perceptions of law enforcement and the justice system.
