Force scraps ‘indoctrinating’ non-crime hate awareness courses
PEOPLE accused of racism, sexism, misogyny and transphobia will no longer be sent on Hate Crime Awareness Courses after a police leader scrapped her force’s use of the controversial schemes.
Hampshire Constabulary was one of three forces in England and Wales that offered people accused of committing hate offences the chance to avoid prosecution by attending a two-hour educational session.
The schemes, which are paid for out of a Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) budget, are part of the restorative justice strategy that encourages criminals to take responsibility for their actions. But Donna Jones, the PCC for Hampshire, has said she is ending the contract with the company that runs the scheme, following controversy over a case in which an Army veteran was arrested for re-tweeting a picture of a swastika made out of gay pride flags.
The 51-year-old was informed by officers he could avoid prosecution if he admitted the offence and agreed to go on the course, before they had even carried out an investigation.
After being arrested he was released under investigation and informed there would be no further action.
A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: “We can confirm that officers explained that the Hate Crime
‘I want to be clear that when the incident reaches the threshold for a hate crime, perpetrators can expect police action. This is vital’
Awareness Course would be offered as an alternative to prosecution, in the event that the alleged offence was admitted.”
Critics have expressed concern that hate crime awareness courses are being used inappropriately and could be used in order to challenge a person’s legitimately held political beliefs, especially around gender critical issues.
Because the schemes are operated as part of the “out of court disposal” system, they can only be offered as an option once an investigation is complete and it is deemed the suspect has committed an offence.
But with the number of hate crime incidents being reported to the police soaring, it is feared that they are instead being offered as an alternative to an investigation. There is also concern that the courses will be offered in so-called “non-crime hate incidents”, which are recorded by police but do not require any action.
Harry Miller, a former police officer who recently won a High Court Case against the College of Policing over the way alleged non-crime hate incidents are recorded, said the courses were deeply worrying.
He said: “This is all about re-education and indoctrination.
“It has nothing to do with resolving matters between victims and suspects.”
Ms Jones said that having reviewed the way the courses were being offered by her force she had decided to with
‘This is all about re-education. It has nothing to do with resolving matters between victims and suspects’
draw their use. She said: “I inherited a restorative justice contract when I was elected into office last year and the restorative Hate Crime Awareness Course was part of that.
“I have decided that this Hate Crime Awareness Course will no longer be offered in Hampshire and Isle of Wight by way of a community resolution option. The change needs to be planned properly but will take place in the coming weeks.
“In saying this, I want to be clear that when someone has been targeted and suffered violence or abuse because of their protected characteristics, and the incident reaches the evidential threshold for a hate crime, perpetrators can expect police action. This is vital.”