How did the notion of ‘two-tier policing’ evolve, and does it really exist?

Where did the concept of two-tier policing originate? The term, which suggests police deal more harshly with white people than other ethnic groups, first came to prominence through its use by people on the far right. Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, complained in 2012 of “a two-tier system where Muslims are treated more favourably than non-Muslims”. He repeated his theory when Muslims were convicted in child sex grooming scandals. How did it enter the mainstream? Suella Braverman, the then home secretary, accused police of in 2023 of “double standards” after the Met gave the go-ahead for a pro-Palestine march on Armistice Day. But the concept of two-tier policing that disadvantages white people really gained traction in 2024, with claims that white far-right “protesters” involved in the Southport riots were treated more harshly because of their race or beliefs. Robinson, with the support of Elon Musk, was among those making the claims, as was the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, who pointed to what he claimed was “soft policing of the Black Lives Matter protests”. The phrase “two-tier” has become commonplace on the front pages of rightwing newspapers, not always in relation to policing, but emphasising claims that white British people are being disadvantaged more generally. …