Police investigate children: Are hate incidents” a problem?

Police investigate children: Are hate incidents” a problem?

Police investigated children for insulting - a scandalous trend in England and Wales!

In an alarming report, it is revealed that children in England and Wales are targeted by the police just because they insult each other! A terrifying example of the absurdities resulting from the new legislation to record "non-criminal hate incidents" (NCHI).

What are these "non-criminal hate incidents"?

The law on the police, crime, law enforcement and courts from 2022 defines Nchis as actions that "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 or online nuisance, bullying in schools or at work as well as distributing insulting leaflets.

Since June 2023, the police in England and Wales have been legally obliged to record reports on Nchis. In Scotland, a similar law has been in effect since April 2024, which the police show how such incidents are to be treated.

But the recording of these incidents is not uncontroversial. Critics argue that they limit freedom of expression and waste valuable police period. A terrifying example came to light when the Times reported that a nine -year -old boy who described a classmate as a "retard", and two students, who described another as "fishing", were recorded as Nchis. The reports of such incidents are increasing - over 13,200 symptoms were registered last year, which leads to an enormous effort of over 60,000 police hours annually.

The debate about the need for Nchis

While some are calling for the abolition of the NCHIS, others argue that their surveillance is necessary to recognize potentially dangerous behavior at an early stage. Danny Stone, Managing Director of Anisemitism Policy Trust, emphasizes that reporting on hate incidents has positive effects on the police and the communities. He refers to tragic cases in which people were driven into suicide in their neighborhood due to years of harassment.

The controversy around Nchis increase. The chairman of College of Policing, Nick Herbert, expressed that the recording of Nchis had become an "obstacle to the police". He asks the government to rethink this practice. On the other hand, there are voices that emphasize the importance of the NCHIS to recognize a climate of hatred before violent outbreaks occur.

The discussion about Nchis is also fueled by prominent personalities such as the former minister Suella Braverman and the journalist Darren Grimes, both of whom are fighting against the recording of such incidents. Grimes described the investigation against him as a "Orwell marking" and questioned freedom in Great Britain.

The debate about Nchis is a hot iron that divides British society. While some emphasize the need for these records, others see a dangerous restriction of freedom of expression. The question remains: how far can the state go to combat supposed hatred?