October 01, 2025 | Organisational Information and Performance , Service Instructions
Request Number: FOI/15085
Category: Organisational Information Performance – Service Instructions
Subject: Hate Crime Guidance
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken to disclose the following.
Request 1
We are trying to better understand the PSNI criteria and processes around recording hate reports as hate crimes. We note the definition of hate motivation and hate crime in the appendix of the Service Instruction SI2117 on Hate Crime. We are also aware of the content of the PPS hate crime policy (2010) and webpage update, highlighting:
- the ‘aggravated by hostility" provision of Criminal Justice (NI) (No. 2) Order 2004;
- the relevant provisions regarding use of threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987; and
- The relevant provisions in the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
Please provide:
Any guidance, guidelines, circulars or other used by PSNI staff to determine (a) when a report should be recorded as a hate crime and (b) under what circumstances the PSNI should apply the 2004, 1987 and/or 2011 legislation
Answer
All guidance related to Hate Crime is contained within the Service Instruction. With respect to which offence is the most appropriate however – that will depend on individual circumstances and evidential thresholds. Staff receive generic training on each offence
Request 2
Any relevant training materials
Answer
Please see attachment, this is the training materials provided to Student officers and Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Request 3
Oversight procedures for these decisions
Answer
Any decision around whether something is declared as a Hate Crime or a Hate Incident will fall to the first line supervisors of the investigating officer to review.