DEVON and Cornwall Police recored more than 200 Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHI) last year, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed.

The force recorded 249 NCHI in 2024, the FOI shows.

The UK government website defines a NCHI as ‘an incident or alleged incident which involves or is alleged to involve an act by a person which is perceived by a person other than the subject to be motivated - wholly or partly - by hostility or prejudice towards persons with a particular characteristic.’

Characteristics include but are not limited to: race, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and age.

Non-crime hate incidents are recorded by the police to collect information on ‘hate incidents’ that could escalate into more serious harm or indicate heightened community tensions, but which do not constitute a criminal offence, the UK government website says.