Non-crime hate incidents (NCHI) in the United Kingdom refer to records kept by the police about actions or speech perceived to demonstrate hostility towards a person's protected characteristics, such as race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.
[11] The subjective nature of the NCHI complaint has led to incidents such as the playing of Bob Marley music,[12] a Snapchat between schoolgirls,[13] and the hanging of soiled underpants on a washing line[14] to be recorded as NCHIs.
The guidelines for recording NCHIs were challenged in a landmark case in 2021, when the Court of Appeal ruled that their implementation must balance public safety with the protection of individual freedoms.
The court found that the guidelines could have a "chilling effect" on free speech, requiring amendments to ensure proportionality in the reporting process.
In December 2021, the Court of Appeal ruled that this guidance was unlawful and constituted a "chilling effect ... on the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression".