British government wants police to record non-criminal hate incidents

The British government is considering requiring police to record non-criminal hate incidents in a move designed to counter anti-Semitic and Islamophobic attacks, the Times reported on Monday.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is considering reversing the Conservative government’s reforms that introduced a new hurdle for when police can collect a person’s personal data in connection with a hate incident that does not constitute a crime.

Suella Braverman, the former Conservative home secretary, issued a directive saying incidents should only be recorded if they were “clearly motivated by deliberate hostility” and if there was “a real risk of escalation leading to significant harm or criminality”.

According to the Times report, Cooper is concerned that the new guidelines will make it harder for police to monitor and identify tensions and threats to the Jewish and Muslim communities that could escalate into violence.

There has been a rise in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents in the UK in recent months, particularly since the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on 7 October and Israel’s subsequent war on Gaza.

Since then, the number of anti-Semitic incidents has doubled, while the number of anti-Islamic incidents has tripled.

Earlier this month, far-right riots, partly motivated by Islamophobia, broke out in several parts of the UK. Several mosques were attacked and anti-Islamic slogans were heard during the riots.

A Home Office spokesman said: “The Home Office is committed to reversing the previous government’s decision to restrict monitoring of anti-Semitic and Islamophobic hate messages at a time when the number of such incidents has increased.”

“It is vital that police can collect data on hate incidents that are not crimes where it is proportionate and necessary to help prevent subsequent serious crime.

“We are carefully considering how best to protect individuals and communities from hate, while also taking into account the need to protect the fundamental right to freedom of expression.”