IC codes (identity code) or6+1 codes arepolice codes used in the United Kingdom to visually describe the apparentethnicity of a person.[1][2] They originated in the late 1970s.[3][4]
IC codes refer to a police officer's visual assessment of the ethnicity of a person, and are used in the quick transmission of basic visual information, such as over radio.[4] They differ fromself-defined ethnicity (SDE, or "18+1") codes, which refer to how a person describes their own ethnicity.[4] When recording a person's details (such as in the case of astop and search or arrest), police are required to ask for and use SDE categories where possible, even if the category chosen does not match the officer's own assessment.[4]
IC codes have been used to record individuals' ethnicities in thePolice National Computer.[4][5] They have also been used in the reports on ethnicity in the criminal justice system published annually as required by theCriminal Justice Act 1991,[6][2] and in some scientific research.[7][non-primary source needed]
| Code | Ethnicity[4][8] |
|---|---|
| IC1 | White – North European |
| IC2 | White – South European |
| IC3 | Black |
| IC4 | Asian – Indian subcontinent |
| IC5 | Chinese,Japanese,Korean, or otherSoutheast Asian |
| IC6 | Arab orNorth African |
| IC9 | Unknown |
The Secretary of State shall in each year publish such information as he considers expedient for the purpose of [...] facilitating the performance by such persons of their duty to avoid discriminating against any persons on the ground of race or sex or any other improper ground.