Police record non-crime hate incident after neighbour played Bob Marley to 'mock' homeowner

Details of the incident, released under freedom of information laws, show that the homeowner reported "further issues with her neighbour who has been playing music, which she believes was in order to get a reaction from her".

The date and location of the incident have not been disclosed by the force.

The incident was one of 126 non-crime hate incidents recorded by North Wales Police between June 2023 and June 2024.

Police logs revealed the black homeowner, who remains anonymous, specifically reported that "the suspect has been playing Bob Marley music, which she states is another way to mock her as she is black".

Jamaica-born Marley, who died in 1981, is widely recognised as the most famous reggae musician in history.

Police forces can record such incidents if any person believes they involved hate.

Public figures have strongly criticised the recording of such incidents, with Toby Young, director of the Free Speech Union, saying the complainant should have been told "to stop wasting police time".

"It's as if police officers have had their common sense surgically removed by race activists," Young added.

Andrew RT Davies MS, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, was equally critical, stating: "Non-crime hate incidents are a complete waste of police time and must be scrapped."

Oliver Lewis, spokesman for Reform UK Wales, said NCHIs "make a mockery of free speech" and pledged his party would "repeal all hate speech laws" if elected.

North Wales Police defended their actions, with a spokesman stating they "comply with the Home Office Guidance" on such matters.

"Perception of hostility or prejudice can be subjective and linked to various factors," the spokesman added.

The force also noted that "regular auditing is now in place" to ensure compliance with changes in legislation.

The FOI disclosures revealed another NCHI case where racism was recorded after a youth ran through a man's garden.

Police logs showed the complainant "believes this to be bullying and racist" after the youth jumped over his fence in August 2024.

There are five categories of hate recognised under UK law: race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and transgender identity.

Forces can also record incidents based on other characteristics of their choosing, including caste and "alternative subcultures" such as hippies, goths and punks.

Lord Sumption, a former Supreme Court judge, has called for NCHIs to be scrapped entirely.

"I would just abolish the whole jurisdiction," he told The Telegraph. "If they want to make things crimes they should do it, but this kind of intermediate framework of grudge-bearing is just intolerable."