Responding to non-crime hate incidents

Summary

This section outlines how police officers and staff should respond to non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) effectively and sensitively. Not every incident perceived as motivated by hostility should be recorded as a NCHI; a record is necessary only when specific criteria are met. Officers must consider whether the incident poses a real risk of significant harm to individuals or groups. While police have limited powers to intervene in NCHIs, they retain a duty to work alongside statutory partners under the Equality Act 2010. The response must be proportionate and compatible with human rights legislation. Incidents should not be dismissed as unimportant; they require documentation to develop intelligence and monitor community tensions. Police should contact involved parties carefully, prioritizing privacy and minimizing potential harm. Statutory disclosure and barring provisions concerning non-crime information, governed by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), must also be noted, especially regarding employment in regulated activities.

Key principles

• 1Not all perceived incidents should be recorded as NCHIs.
• 2Consider the real risk of significant harm when recording personal data.
• 3Non-crime incidents still require documentation for intelligence development.
• 4Responses should be proportionate and compatible with human rights legislation.
• 5Contact involved parties with sensitivity and confidentiality.
• 6Disclosure and barring provisions apply to non-crime information.