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Police Scotland are under fire over failing to disclose how many controversial non-crime hate incidents they log amid claims the data is being buried. The news comes as the force doubled down on continuing to probe non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) despite the Metropolitan Police vowing to drop them. Pressure is now mounting on Police Scotland to follow suit, from critics and from within their own ranks, amid claims NCHIs have “had their day” and should be scrapped. Latest Police Scotland data shows there were 2467 hate crimes in the three months between April/June – but in a break with previous policy there were no figures published for the number of contentious NCHIs. A force report covering April 2024-March 2025, however, showed Police Scotland recorded 912 NCHIs during the period, with 1331 logged during the previous year. Chief Superintendent Rob Hay, president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS), called for transparency over the numbers of NCHIs being recorded and insisted the policy in its current form should be scrapped. He said: “The original intention behind the recording of non-crime hate incidents, to monitor community tensions and identify risks to marginalised communities, was non-contentious for many years. “What was never anticipated was the current context of large-scale weaponisation of offence-taking and divisive culture wars, often playing out over social media. “The potential for this to have a chilling effect on free speech and erode an already fragile balance of public trust and confidence is clear. “With recent steps by the Metropolitan Police Service and the position of the NPCC/College of Policing, it would appear non-crime hate incidents have had their day.” Police Scotland’s recording of thousands of NCHIs – despite not being criminal offences – has led to criticism that it created a huge database of people whose speech is perceived as motivated by hostility to race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender status. Critics claim NCHIs have turned cops into “thought police” after being increasingly used to record petty arguments and waste police time. Hay added: “At a time when frontline demand is higher than it’s ever been, against a backdrop of a shrinking workforce, the Association would expect Police Scotland to consult with us on following suit with English and Welsh colleagues in abandoning the current system of non-crime hate incidents. “Until the change is implemented, the Service should continue to be transparent about the use of NCHIs.” NCHIs are also loathed by women’s rights and free speech campaigners who say they have been hijacked by activists in a bid to silence those with opposing views. Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at human rights charity Sex Matters, insisted transparency over NCHIs was essential to public trust in police impartiality. She said: “What is Police Scotland hiding by failing to disclose data on non-crime hate incidents? “NCHIs have long been weaponised by activists against people who hold mainstream views about biological sex. “It is concerning that Police Scotland will not provide this information, and it does nothing to rebuild trust in the police.” Tory MSP Murdo Fraser was reported to Police Scotland last year by a trans activist over a post on X, formerly Twitter. Officers decided it was not a crime but that it should be classed as a “hate incident” – despite no law having been broken. Fraser later accused the police of acting unlawfully by recording it as a hate incident and made an official complaint which was initially rejected. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers deal with a range of matters which are not criminal, and the recording of non-crime hate incidents has been in place for many years.” ENDS
