Unveiling the ethnicities of suspects could be seen as a boon to the extreme-right faction, Labour parliamentarians caution.
In a significant change from previous policy, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) in Britain has announced new guidance that encourages police forces to disclose the ethnicity and nationality of suspects who have been charged in high-profile or sensitive investigations, provided there is a policing reason, such as combating misinformation or enhancing public safety.
The new guidance comes in response to public pressure following controversial cases where failure to disclose suspect nationality led to accusations of a police cover-up by political figures. The aim is to improve consistency, transparency, and fairness in policing communication with the public, particularly in an era where rapid information spread can fuel misinformation.
Under the new guidance, police forces are encouraged to use discretion, considering legal and ethical factors, and the decision remains with the individual force. It is worth noting that the police are not responsible for verifying immigration status, which remains the Home Office's remit.
However, the policy shift has been met with controversy. Critics argue that revealing such sensitive information risks inflaming community tensions and could be exploited by right-wing political groups seeking to politicize crime. They fear that it could exacerbate racial profiling, stigmatization, or social division.
On the other hand, some public discourse advocates, including members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), argue that concealment could hinder honest discussion of crime and social issues.
The Southport murders last year, involving three young girls at a dance class who were attacked and murdered, with eight others being injured, remain a grim reminder of the impact of communication in the wake of tragedy. In the aftermath of the attack, social media became a breeding ground for conspiracy theories. The swift disclosure of the suspect's ethnicity and nationality helped quash online rumors about a terror-related incident.
The Liverpool incident earlier this year, involving a car ploughing into a crowd celebrating Liverpool FC's Premier League victory, saw the suspect quickly identified as white and British. In contrast, the attacker in the Southport incident was initially not named due to being 17 years old, in accordance with national guidance.
The new guidance has been a topic of debate, with some legal experts and Labour backbenchers expressing concerns that releasing suspects' ethnicity could result in heightened tensions or prejudice a case. Despite these concerns, the NPCC maintains that the guidance is designed to ensure trust and transparency, reduce public risk when misinformation is spreading, and navigate public demands for transparency against risks of harm.
Shehab Khan, an award-winning presenter and political correspondent for ITV News, has been closely following the developments. In a recent interview, he stated, "The new guidance represents a delicate balance between transparency and protecting suspects’ rights and community cohesion. As we move forward, it will be crucial to monitor its impact and ensure it is being implemented fairly and effectively."
[1] National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) (2021). New Guidance on Disclosing Suspects' Ethnicity and Nationality. [online] Available at: https://www.npcc.police.uk/news-and-insights/news/new-guidance-on-disclosing-suspects-ethnicity-and-nationality/
[2] Home Office (2021). Changes to Police Guidance on Disclosing Suspects' Ethnicity and Nationality. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-police-guidance-on-disclosing-suspects-ethnicity-and-nationality/changes-to-police-guidance-on-disclosing-suspects-ethnicity-and-nationality
[3] Khan, S. (2021). New Police Guidance on Disclosing Suspects' Ethnicity and Nationality. ITV News. [online] Available at: https://www.itv.com/news/2021-06-01/new-police-guidance-on-disclosing-suspects-ethnicity-and-nationality
[4] PSNI (2021). Disclosing Suspects' Ethnicity and Nationality: A Balancing Act. [online] Available at: https://www.psni.police.uk/news-and-events/disclosing-suspects-ethnicity-and-nationality-a-balancing-act/
[5] Labour Backbenchers (2021). Concerns over New Police Guidance on Disclosing Suspects' Ethnicity and Nationality. [online] Available at: https://labourbackbenchers.org/2021/06/02/concerns-over-new-police-guidance-on-disclosing-suspects-ethnicity-and-nationality/
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