The UK government announced plans to overhaul rules governing how police record non-crime hate incidents, with updated guidance aimed at ending the practice of logging "everyday arguments" that occur online.

The Home Office said the revised guidance will provide clearer parameters for when incidents should be recorded by police forces across England and Wales. Currently, police can log hate incidents even when no criminal offense has been committed, a practice that has drawn criticism from civil liberties groups and some politicians.

Non-crime hate incidents are currently recorded when someone reports being targeted based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity, but where the behavior does not meet the threshold for criminal charges. The system was designed to help police identify patterns of escalating behavior and protect vulnerable communities.

Critics have argued the current system places an unnecessary burden on police resources and can have a chilling effect on free speech, particularly regarding online discussions and debates. Supporters contend that recording such incidents helps law enforcement track harassment that might otherwise go unaddressed.

The updated guidance is expected to establish clearer criteria for when incidents warrant official recording, potentially reducing the administrative burden on police forces while maintaining protections for individuals facing persistent harassment or intimidation.