Story perspectives

UK Police Leaders Push to Scrap NCHIs for Common Sense

12/24/2025

Summary

Story summary

UK police leaders call to scrap NCHIs in a review for Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing will propose a 'common sense' system targeting serious anti-social behavior.
This follows the Metropolitan Police's October decision to halt NCHI investigations for free-speech concerns.
Lord Herbert of the College of Policing calls for a modern approach to avoid police involvement in trivial online disputes.

History

Historical Context

The UK's Online Safety Bill, introduced in 2020, aims to regulate harmful online content amid rising concerns over police resource allocation, with 40% of police efforts directed at social media incidents. Calls from police leaders, including Shabana Mahmood, to abolish Non-Crime Hate Incidents reflect ongoing debates about free speech and police priorities in addressing serious anti-social behavior in the digital landscape.

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Story summary

UK police leaders call to scrap NCHIs in a review for Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing will propose a 'common sense' system targeting serious anti-social behavior.
This follows the Metropolitan Police's October decision to halt NCHI investigations for free-speech concerns.
Lord Herbert of the College of Policing calls for a modern approach to avoid police involvement in trivial online disputes.

1 / 2