Police are so worried about being criticised on controversial issues such as race and gender that they are recording trivial incidents as hate crimes, a watchdog has found.
Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke said matters such as playground taunts were being recorded as hate crimes because forces are desperate to be impartial and do not 'want to get into trouble about not recording crimes correctly.'
Unveiling a landmark review about activism and impartiality, Mr Cooke said chief constables urgently need clarity on controversial politicised issues and guidance on how they can remain unbiased in carrying out their duties.
Describing the Equality Act as 'a bit of a mess', he revealed that some forces were so keen to avoid offence that they have had to consider taking measures such as providing both a male and a female warrant card to officers and staff who hold 'gender fluidity as a belief-based protected characteristic'.
Mr Cooke warned that officers wearing symbols such as rainbow-coloured lanyards or poppies could be 'misinterpreted' and 'jeopardise' the public's view of their impartiality.
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Originally published in the Telegraph