5 types of non-crime related incidents police deal with

The police service is now handling more calls to the emergency 999 system than ever before. This is placing greater demands on the police service and it is estimated that over 83% of calls are to non-crime related incidents.

Demand is becoming more complex, and the police service is taking on problems that other organisations can no longer manage because of fewer resources.

What type of non-crime related incidents do police respond to?

1. Missing Person incidents

A missing person is defined as anyone whose whereabouts are unknown whatever the circumstances of disappearance. They will be considered missing until located and their well-being (or otherwise) established.

The investigation into missing persons begins at the point of first notification to the police and as much detail as possible must be established to assess the level of risk.

2. Mental Health incidents

Mental health issues have a major impact on the resources of agencies including the police, local authorities, the health service and the voluntary sector.

It is estimated that twenty per cent of police time is spent dealing with mental health issues.

4. Hate incidents

A hate incident is any non-crime incident that is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on:

• a person’s race or perceived race, or any racial group or ethnic background including countries within the UK and Gypsy and Traveller groups a
• person’s religion or perceived religion, or any religious group including those who have no faith
• a person’s sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, or any person’s sexual orientation
• a person’s disability or perceived disability, or any disability including physical disability, learning disability and mental health or developmental disorder
• a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender, including people who are transsexual, transgender, crossdressers and those who hold a Gender Recognition Certificate under the Gender Recognition Act 2004.

5. Antisocial behaviour incidents

Antisocial behaviour is a broad term used to describe day-to-day incidents of crime, nuisance and disorder that blight many neighbourhoods – from littering, graffiti and vandalism, to drunken, rowdy behaviour in public, too noisy, abusive or intimidating neighbours.