We first highlighted the problem of perception-based policing in 2022. Recording of Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHIs) is formalised in the College of Policing’s Hate Crime Operational Guidance. NCHIs record a person’s perception of ‘hate’ where no crime is alleged; entries can remain on police systems and may be disclosed in enhanced checks, affecting employment – and you may never know. These records chill lawful speech about same-sex marriage and gender ideology. That is not right in a free country.
The Metropolitan Police has now confirmed that Graham Linehan will face no further action over his social media posts, which were reportedly treated as an NCHI. The Met has also said it will stop investigating NCHIs to “reduce ambiguity” and avoid policing culture-war debates.
It’s clear that this matters for real marriage supporters. In Miller v College of Policing, the court warned that NCHI recording exerts a “chilling effect” on debate.
C4M welcomes the Met’s move. But others should follow. C4M calls on the Chair of the College of Policing to press for NCHIs to be scrapped across England and Wales and for policing to focus on crime, not checking what people think. Advocating real marriage – the lifelong exclusive union of one man and one woman – is lawful and expressly protected under the Public Order Act 1986 s.29JA. Forces should immediately end any practice that chills such speech.