Rachel Reeves blasts 'RIDICULOUS' police for investigating schoolboy, 9 - 'Not the best use of time!'

The Labour MP emphasised that police priorities should focus on ensuring "town centres and our high streets safe" so people "feel that they can go out in the evenings and feel safe in their local communities."

In an interview with Katherine Forster, the GB News reporter asked: "You've talked about public services and reform of them. But there is a story today about nine-year-old children being investigated by the police over comments they've made in the playground.

"Surely police should be investigating real crimes. Isn't that a ridiculous use of police resources?"

The Chancellor responded: "I agree with you. And that's why we've committed to ensure that there are 13,000 neighbourhood police officers and community support officers in our local areas, ensuring that our town centres and our high streets safe, and that people feel that they can go out in the evenings and feel safe in their local communities.

"That's the priority for police in Britain, and that's the priority of this Labour government."

Katherine pressed: "So you don't think they should be investigating nine year old's comments?"

Reeves said: "I don't think that that is the best use of police time."

Her comments came in response to revelations that children as young as nine are being investigated by police for non-crime hate incidents.

According to a Freedom of Information request by The Times, a nine-year-old pupil was investigated after calling a classmate a "r**ard" at a primary school.

These investigations were carried out by Humberside and West Yorkshire police forces over the last 12 months.

Current government guidance suggests that classroom incidents should be referred to "the school management team" rather than being recorded by police.

However, The Times reports widespread confusion among police forces about which incidents qualify for investigation.

The Home Office is now reviewing its guidance to strike a balance between "the fundamental right to free speech" while giving police sufficient power to combat hate speech.

Sir Keir Starmer's office has indicated that while it's important for police to record non-crime hate incidents where "proportionate and necessary", the guidance needs reassessment.

Both Humberside and West Yorkshire police have defended their practices, with West Yorkshire noting their crime recording was judged as "outstanding" by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.

Humberside police stated they take hate-related incidents seriously and record them "where appropriate".