Debate Intensifies Over Controversial Non-Crime Hate Incidents
As the House of Lords prepares for a significant debate, the focus is on the potential abolition of non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs), which have been a subject of considerable controversy. Legislators are set to discuss an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, which could eliminate the statutory basis for these incidents.
A more comprehensive amendment, proposed by Lord Young of Acton, seeks to end the recording of NCHIs entirely. If passed, this amendment would prevent police from logging incidents where no crime has taken place and would also aim to delete previously recorded NCHIs, ensuring they are excluded from enhanced DBS checks.
The pressure on the government to abolish NCHIs has been mounting, with critics arguing that these records have a ‘chilling effect’ on free speech.
Among those affected are street preachers. For instance, in 2024, Scottish pastor Angus Cameron was awarded £5,500 for unlawful detention and £9,400 in legal fees after a wrongful arrest related to a ‘hate-crime’ incident. Despite no crime being committed, a non-crime hate incident report was registered against him. The outcome followed legal action backed by The Christian Institute.
A freedom of information inquiry by The Times in 2024 revealed that a diverse group of individuals, including doctors, vicars, and schoolchildren, were among the 13,200 NCHIs recorded in the year leading up to June 2024.
The government has acknowledged the inadequacies in the current system, stating it is “not fit for purpose,” and has initiated a review. A new code of practice is anticipated to offer stronger protections for free speech.
Simon Calvert, Deputy Director for Public Affairs at The Christian Institute, has urged peers to back the amendments, advocating for the complete removal of NCHIs.
“It’s shocking to think that for years we’ve had a system where Police have been able to record unproven, politically motivated complaints against Christians and others,” he stated.
“These malicious allegations of being ‘hateful’ could seriously impact a person‘s career prospects.
“It’s Orwellian and it’s way past time not only for that system to be abolished but for all of the erroneous information held against innocent people to be deleted.
“The House of Lords has an opportunity to get rid of non-crime hate incident once and for all and I hope they take it.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
