A British man in Wiltshire found himself in trouble with the police after quoting the title of Jon Sopel’s book about Donald Trump’s America, “If Only They Didn’t Speak English: Notes from Trump’s America.” The man had a non-crime hate incident recorded against him for alleged racial hatred towards an American. Despite claiming that it was a light-hearted discussion with the intention of starting a conversation, he was visited by a police officer who gave him “words of advice” over his alleged racist behavior. The incident was not a criminal offense but could still appear on background checks for certain job applications.
Sopel’s book delves into the differences between Britain and the US, particularly in the context of the 2016 presidential election. The title itself reflects the idea that if Americans didn’t speak English, their country might be seen as more foreign and potentially better understood by outsiders. The book offers an affectionate perspective on the complexities of American society, drawing on Sopel’s experiences as the former North America editor for the BBC. Despite the controversy surrounding the Wiltshire incident, many of Sopel’s American friends appreciate the book’s insights and humor.
The man involved in the incident, supported by the Free Speech Union, was surprised and frustrated by the complaint and subsequent police involvement. The incident highlights concerns about the handling of non-crime hate incidents by the police, with some arguing that resources could be better allocated to address more serious crimes. Wiltshire Police, which has faced criticism for its handling of crime investigations in the past, was under special measures until recently. The incident has renewed calls for a review of how non-crime hate incidents are dealt with, especially in cases where they may not warrant police intervention.
A tweet containing racial hatred posted by a woman over a year ago led to Essex Police initiating an investigation. However, the case was subsequently closed with no further action taken against her. In a separate incident, a man from Wiltshire raised concerns about a Non-Crime Hate Incident (NCHI) that was re-classified as a “non-crime anti-social behavior incident” last year. Despite the reclassification, the incident remains on his police record, potentially impacting his ability to secure a voluntary job.
The Free Speech Union (FSU) has intervened in the matter by sending a letter to Wiltshire Police, urging them to remove the incident from the man’s record. The FSU argues that holding onto his personal data in this manner goes against the Home Office’s guidelines on the recording of NCHIs. The updated guidance from 2023 stipulates that NCHIs should only be recorded if there is a genuine risk of significant harm to individuals or specific groups, or if there is a likelihood of future criminal offenses targeting these individuals or groups.
Toby Young, the FSU’s general secretary, expressed concerns in the letter to Wiltshire Police, stating that discussing a book by Jon Sopel should not pose a risk of harm or escalate into more serious issues. The re-classification of the incident as a Non-Crime Incident-Anti Social Behavior (NCIASB) appears to be an attempt to circumvent the new guidelines, according to the FSU. Young emphasized that retaining the man’s personal data for this purpose contradicts the Home Office’s guidance on anti-social behavior, which emphasizes proportionality in dealing with such matters.
The NCHI in question dates back to 2019 when the man engaged in what was described as a “light-hearted conversation” with an American and two others, during which he mentioned Jon Sopel’s book, “If Only They Didn’t Speak English.” The FSU clarified that the reference to the book was made in a casual context to facilitate conversation. Subsequently, the man emailed the American individual on June 7 of that year, expressing the book’s positive stance towards the USA and its citizens.
Now, the man is anxious that the presence of the non-crime incident on his record could hinder his job prospects. He intends to apply for a voluntary position that necessitates an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and fears that the record may impede his clearance for the role. Wiltshire Police has been approached for a comment on the matter.
It is essential to adhere to journalistic ethics and guidelines when reporting on sensitive issues such as potential infringements on freedom of speech and the handling of non-criminal incidents by law enforcement authorities. Accuracy and impartiality are crucial in providing a fair and balanced account of the events and concerns raised by individuals and organizations involved.
