The Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command has apprehended a man in connection with online posts linked to the proscribed terrorist group Hamas. The arrest comes after a public referral alerted authorities to content allegedly supporting the organization.

On April 29, police received reports of online posts advocating for Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. The case was promptly referred to the national Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit, which then escalated it to detectives within the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command for further scrutiny.

Yesterday, May 14, a 47-year-old man was taken into custody in southwest London under suspicion of endorsing a terrorist organization, a violation of section 12 of the Terrorism Act, 2000. Simultaneously, officers searched a residence in the same area as part of the ongoing investigation.

The individual has since been released on bail, with a court appearance scheduled for early August. The investigation remains active.

Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, emphasised the importance of public vigilance: “In the wake of last October’s tragic events in Israel and the subsequent conflict, we have witnessed a surge in extremist and terrorist material reported by concerned citizens. Each referral undergoes rigorous assessment by our specialised officers. When we suspect that terrorism offences have occurred within the UK, we diligently investigate, identify, and apprehend those responsible, ensuring justice prevails.”