Essex Police have confirmed that they are investigating alleged criminal racial hatred following a social media post made by columnist Allison Pearson. Pearson expressed her shock and dismay after being questioned by the police regarding a year-old deleted post, stating that the investigation was related to a Non-Crime Hate Incident (NCHI). This type of incident refers to behavior that is prejudiced towards a person with a particular characteristic, but is not necessarily illegal.
Pearson’s claims have sparked widespread attention and criticism towards Essex Police, with opposition leader Kemi Badenoch calling for the police to focus on more serious matters. Pearson stated that Essex Police had upgraded the accusation from a Non-Crime Hate Incident to an offense under the Public Order Act. However, Essex Police clarified that the investigation was always into an alleged criminal offense from the beginning, not an NCHI.
The police force has taken issue with what they describe as “false reporting” on the matter and have submitted a complaint to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) regarding factual accuracy. They have released a transcript of bodyworn video footage from the conversation with Pearson, showing that the tweet in question was being treated as a potential case of inciting racial hatred online.
Essex Police emphasized that they support free speech but do not tolerate inaccuracies. They maintain that if a crime is reported, it will be investigated, regardless of public opinion. The post in question involved a repost by Pearson during a time of heightened tensions over Gaza protests. The post included a picture of individuals holding a flag that said “Pakistan” alongside members of Greater Manchester Police, leading to allegations of bias.
The post targeted the Metropolitan Police, accusing them of refusing to take a photo with supporters of Israel while posing with “Jew haters.” Pearson deleted the post after it was pointed out to her as a mistake. The investigation into the incident continues as Essex Police address concerns over the handling of the case and maintain their commitment to upholding the law while respecting freedom of speech.
