SIGN THE PETITION:
SUPPORT US FOR UK JUSTICE
PUBLIC REVIEW OF THE UK POLICE RACE CODES
We call upon the Home Office, police forces, Parliament, academics, historians, and the wider public to conduct a full public review of the origins, development, purpose, and continuing use of the UK Police IC Appearance Codes (IC1–IC6).
The IC codes are among the most widely used racial appearance classifications in the United Kingdom. Millions of police records, intelligence reports, custody records, witness statements, and official documents have used these classifications over several decades.
Despite their widespread use, many members of the public do not know:
• Who created the classifications.
• When the classifications were created.
• What criteria were used.
• Who approved them.
• What assumptions informed their design.
• Whether alternative systems were considered.
• How the classifications relate to race and ethnicity as protected characteristics under UK law.
This petition does not seek to make allegations, accusations, assumptions, or assertions regarding the motives of those who created or continue to use these classifications.
Instead, it seeks transparency, historical clarity, public understanding, and informed discussion.
We therefore call for:
1. Publication of the historical record concerning the creation and development of the IC appearance coding system.
2. Publication of all available policy documents explaining the rationale for the categories.
3. An independent review examining the relationship between the IC appearance codes and modern concepts of race and ethnicity.
4. A public consultation allowing citizens, academics, community groups, police representatives, and equality organisations to contribute evidence and views.
5. A publicly accessible report setting out the findings and recommendations.
The purpose of this petition is simple:
To ensure that a system used to classify millions of people is fully understood by the public it serves.
