“Rough Haircut” Logged as Hate Incident Highlights Debate on Policing Priorities

The City of London Police recently recorded a “hate incident” involving a Lithuanian man who complained about receiving an “aggressive and rough” haircut. The man believed his treatment was motivated by his use of the Russian language. While the complaint was later withdrawn, the incident has fueled ongoing controversy about the handling of non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) by UK police forces.

The “Rough Haircut” Case

According to reports, the man alleged his barber became “aggressive and rough” after discussing the war in Ukraine, attributing the behavior to his Russian-speaking background. The City of London Police confirmed the report was made online and later withdrawn without further action.

This is just one of 13,000 NCHIs logged by UK police in the past year, a statistic that has drawn criticism from those concerned about law enforcement resources being diverted from tackling serious crimes.

Broader Examples of NCHIs

The handling of NCHIs has sparked significant debate, with other incidents ranging from disputes over hair length to perceived slights on social media. Examples include:

• A German woman compared to a rottweiler during a parking dispute.
• A complaint in Wiltshire about hair-mocking remarks.
• Allegations of racial hatred in Bedfordshire, where a man whistled the Bob the Builder theme at his neighbor.
• South Yorkshire police investigated a claim of homophobic abuse during a row over a privet hedge.
• West Yorkshire officers logged a case of alleged ethnic bias by a swimming teacher and another involving Facebook comments about a disabled Blue Badge holder’s physical activity.

Even schoolchildren have been the subject of NCHIs, such as a nine-year-old accused of using a slur and two girls who mocked a classmate’s odor.

Growing Criticism of Police Priorities

Critics argue that NCHIs, which are not criminal offenses but are logged to identify potential patterns of hostility, are a misuse of police time. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp emphasized that law enforcement should focus on real crimes like violent assaults, shoplifting, and mobile phone theft. “An aggressively-administered haircut is not a police matter,” Philp remarked, urging the government to tighten guidance on the recording of NCHIs.

Similarly, the case of journalist Allison Pearson, who faced police investigation over a year-old, deleted tweet, has reignited concerns over free speech and appropriate policing. The inquiry, which concluded without charges, prompted backlash from high-profile figures including former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, as well as Elon Musk.

Police Response and Calls for Reform

National Police Chiefs’ Council Chairman Gavin Stephens defended the need to log NCHIs, claiming they can act as “precursors to violence.” However, a September review by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary criticized the inconsistent application of national guidelines, finding that officers were recording too many trivial incidents.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has since called for a “common sense and consistent approach,” stressing the need to focus resources on serious criminality.

Public Confidence at Stake

The debate underscores a larger issue: how best to allocate police resources while maintaining public trust. Recording every perceived slight as a hate incident risks undermining confidence in law enforcement, especially amid rising concerns about violent crime and theft. Critics argue that until clearer guidance is provided, the balance between addressing hate incidents and solving actual crimes will remain a contentious issue.

As the government and police review current policies, the handling of cases like the “rough haircut” will likely continue to provoke discussion about the role and responsibilities of law enforcement in modern society.