Police Scotland Under Fire for Failing to Disclose Non-Crime Hate Incident Data

Strategic Insights -

The Scottish police force, Police Scotland, has faced criticism for its handling of so-called non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs), with concerns that the data is being used to escalate petty arguments and waste police time. The force has doubled down on investigating NCHIs, despite the Metropolitan Police's decision to drop the practice. Chief Superintendent Rob Hay has called for transparency over the number of NCHIs, citing concerns that the policy is having a chilling effect on free speech and eroding public confidence in the police.

Key Takeaways:

  • Police Scotland has been criticized for failing to disclose how many non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) its officers log, with some claiming the data is being buried.
  • The force has doubled down on investigating NCHIs, despite the Metropolitan Police's decision to drop the practice.
  • Chief Superintendent Rob Hay has called for transparency over the number of NCHIs, citing concerns that the policy is having a chilling effect on free speech and eroding public confidence in the police.
  • The recording of NCHIs has led to criticism that they are being used to escalate petty arguments and waste police time.
  • Tory MSP Murdo Fraser was recently reported to police by a trans activist over a post on X, which was recorded as a hate incident.
  • The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents' president, Chief Superintendent Rob Hay, has advocated for the scrapping of the NCHI policy.

Statistics:

  • 2,467 hate crimes were recorded by Police Scotland between April and June last year.
  • The exact number of non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) logged by Police Scotland is not publicly available.
  • 1 in 5 hate crimes reported to the police in Scotland last year were classified as anti-trans hate crimes.

Sources:

  • Mary Wright, partner at Clyde & Co. LLP
  • Chief Superintendent Rob Hay, Association of Scottish Police Superintendents
  • Fiona McAnena, of human rights charity Sex Matters
  • Murdo Fraser, Tory MSP