A serving officer with Gloucestershire Police has been arrested today on suspicion of a terrorism-related offence. Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing South West (CTPSW) detained the constable, a man in his 30s, at a property in Gloucester on suspicion of providing support to a proscribed organization, specifically Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyyah (Hamas), in violation of Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

The officer was taken to a police custody facility outside Gloucestershire, and specialist officers are conducting multiple searches related to the investigation, including searches of a vehicle and a residential address in Gloucester.

Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Arman Mathieson commented, “The arrest of a serving officer on suspicion of such a serious offence will no doubt cause our communities concern, as it does everyone who works for Gloucestershire Police. It’s important to note the suspected support relates to activity online, and the searches taking place are primarily to locate digital devices for analysis.”

He emphasised that the arrest aims to facilitate a prompt and effective investigation, and urged the public not to draw premature conclusions.

The investigation continues as authorities analyze the evidence collected from the searches.