Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks associated with their current practices in assessing incidents of religious and racial hatred; and what plans they have to change these practices.

The Home Secretary has agreed that the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), supported by the College of Policing, will conduct a review on the use and effectiveness of non-crime hate incidents, including those incidents involving religious and racial hatred. The review will cover when the police should record information that has not yet reached the criminal threshold, but which is still deemed necessary to monitor community tensions and keep the public safe. It will also consider the fundamental right of freedom of expression and recent court rulings in this area. The Government welcomes this review and will work closely with the NPCC and the College as they develop their findings and any proposals.