Children in England: Police are investigating hate incidents!

Children in England: Police are investigating hate incidents!

in England and Wales, a controversial topic causes excitement: the police examine children for harmless insults! Yes, really heard! A current study shows that even children are targeted by the police because of names that they call each other. What is behind these so-called "non-crime hate incidents" (nchi)?

What are non-crime hate incidents?

The police have had the legal obligation since June 2023 to document Nchis. But what exactly is that? According to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, these are actions that are "obviously motivated by deliberate hostility or prejudice against people with certain characteristics". These characteristics can include breed, religion, sexuality, disability or gender identity. The West Yorkshire Police lists examples such as verbal harassment, bullying in schools or at work and distributing insulting flyers.

But practice is discussed violently! Critics argue that the recording of Nchis limits freedom of expression and distracts the police from important tasks. A Times report revealed that even a nine -year -old boy, who described a classmate as a "retard", was registered when Nchi was registered. Is that really the right way?

The controversy around Nchis

The symptoms about Nchis have risen lumps recently. According to an analysis of 45 of the 48 British police authorities, over 13,200 NCHIS were registered last year. Remember: That means that more than 60,000 police hours are spent on these incidents every year! Nick Herbert, the chairman of the College of Policing, described Nchis' recording as an "obstacle" for the police. "We want the police to prevent damage and identify risks," he said. But instead it is distracted with controversial categories.

On the other hand, there are voices that emphasize the need to monitor Nchis. They argue that such incidents could be an indicator of potentially escalating, hateful behavior. Danny Stone, Managing Director of Anisemitism Policy Trust, emphasizes that reporting on Nchi's has a positive impact on the police and the community. A tragic case from 2007, in which a mother and her severely disabled daughter committed suicide after years of harassment by young people, is often cited as an example to illustrate the importance of Nchis.

The debate about Nchis is a hot iron in British society. While some demand to abolish this practice, others see them as necessary to recognize and prevent potential hatred. The question remains: Where do we draw the border between freedom of expression and the protection from hatred? The discussion is in full swing and the opinions are split!