People commenting in legitimate debates should not be stigmatised because someone is offended, according to new guidance for policing in England and Wales that tells officers “not to get involved in debates on Twitter”.
“Trivial” non-crime hate incidents “should not be recorded if there is no basis to conclude that an incident was motivated by hostility”, the College of Policing said in its guidance on Thursday.
Coming after revelations that police recorded every incident where a victim perceived hostility based on race, religion and other issues, the latest move aims at ensuring people can engage in lawful debates without police interference.
The interim guidance which will be in place till the Home Office comes up with a new code of practice, said, “if a record is made, it must be done in the least intrusive way possible”.
“It may not be necessary to record the name of an individual or the location of an incident”, it said, seeking to strike a balance between free speech and protecting vulnerable people.
According to reports, more than 120,000 people were recorded by police for non-crime incidents in the past five years.
The guidance makes it clear that the “recording of a non-crime hate incident is not a sanction”.
“Non-crime hate incidents are not disclosed on a basic or standard Disclosure and Barring Service check,” it said.
According to it, responses should be proportionate to incidents to protect human rights while also safeguarding people.
College of Policing CEO Andy Marsh said while police forces were expected to reduce crime and bring criminals to justice, they also “have a responsibility to protect freedom of speech”.
“In all types of crime, it is important for the police to record incidents that could lead to, or be evidence of, criminality..,” the chief constable said.
“Our guidance is there to support officers responding to these incidents in accordance with the law, and not get involved in debates on Twitter,” Marsh said.
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During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)