Researchers from the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University, have uncovered troubling evidence of accent-based bias in the UK’s criminal justice system. Negative stereotypes tied to accents, they argue, can influence every stage of the process—from arrest to sentencing—and affect not just defendants but also witnesses, undermining the fairness of trials.
A particular concern is the risk of accented speakers being wrongly identified in voice line-ups. Despite strides in promoting diversity elsewhere in British society—such as the increased presence of regional and working-class accents in media—deep-seated prejudices persist.
Serious disadvantages
“Our findings highlight how speakers of certain accents can face serious disadvantages in the criminal justice system,” the researchers explain. “Voices hold significant sway, and police, lawyers, and juries can all be influenced by stereotypes about how someone sounds, often without realizing it. Right now, some accents are simply perceived as guiltier than others.”
The study tested these biases by asking 180 participants, evenly split by gender, to rate recordings of male voices representing ten UK accents, including Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, and Standard Southern British English (SSBE). Participants judged the voices on traits like honesty and friendliness, as well as behaviors ranging from returning a lost wallet to committing crimes like shoplifting, vandalism, and sexual assault.
Results showed that accents like Liverpool and Bradford were most closely associated with criminality, while the RP-like accent was viewed as least likely to engage in unlawful acts. Yet the findings defy simple stereotypes: Belfast and Glasgow accents, often linked with strong regional identities, were rated among the least likely to commit crimes and the most likely to intervene against harassment.
Changing perspectives
The study also revealed changing perceptions about certain offenses. For example, the RP accent—traditionally associated with high status—was considered more likely to commit sexual assault than other crimes, challenging long-standing assumptions about class and criminality.
The research sheds light on the complex interplay between social class, morality, and criminal behavior in the UK. It also underscores the importance of reforming practices like voice identification line-ups to screen for bias. “Jurors currently receive no guidance on how accent-based prejudice could skew their decisions,” the authors note. “If someone sounds ‘guilty’ to us, we need to ask why—and ensure it doesn’t cloud our judgment.”
Future research aims to expand on these findings by exploring more crime types, examining links between perceptions of criminality and morality, and incorporating a wider range of voices to deepen understanding of how accents shape bias. For now, the study offers a stark reminder that linguistic prejudice still casts a long shadow over justice.
