Elite team of cops to monitor anti-migrant social media posts to clamp down on unrest as critics blast ‘disturbing' move
Detectives are being handpicked from forces across the UK to take part in the new programme amid fears of rioting as the small boats crisis escalates.
Advertisement
3
The new unit will monitor social media posts about immigration
Credit: UKNIP
3
The step has been slammed as an attack on freedom of speech
Credit: Getty
3
Lucy Connolly was sentenced to 31 months in prison for her misinformed posts about Southport
Credit: PA
The division, overseen by the Home Office, will look to "maximise social media intelligence" gathering after forces were slammed for their response to last year's unrest.
Protests outside asylum hotels is continuing to heat up, with crowds gathering yesterday in the likes of Norwich, Leeds and Bournemouth - and more demonstrations planned today.
Deputy PM Angela Rayner warned the Cabinet last week that the Government must step in to address "real concerns" about immigration.
However, critics have labelled the social media policing plans as "disturbing" and questioned if it further restricts freedom of speech.
Advertisement
The National Internet Intelligence Investigations team, will work out of the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC) in Westminster.
The NPoCC provides the central planning for forces across the UK in terms of "nationally significant protests" and civil disorder.
And enforced lockdown rules during the Covid pandemic.
Lucy Connolly fury
It comes after Tory councillor Raymond Connolly's wife
account just hours after evil
murdered three girls in the Merseyside town on July 29 last year.
Advertisement
Most read in The Sun
Breaking
Ms Connolly, 41, shared a call to arms following the deaths of Bebe King, six, nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, last July.
Posts wrongly claimed monster
Ms Connelly's punishment sparked fury across the political divide.
16 arrested after protests outside Epping migrant hotel as ring of steel ramps up around TWO asylum seeker centres
Furious Brits noted that despite the former child minder quickly deleting her post, she remains in prison while paedos such as Hugh Edwards escaped jail time.
Advertisement
Referring to the social media cops, Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, told the
"They're setting up a central team to monitor what you post, what you share, what you think, because deep down they know the public don't buy what they're selling."
He added Labour are no longer "pretending" to fix Britain and are now "trying to mute it" - turning the country into a "surveillance state".
Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, said: 'This is the beginning of the state controlling free speech. It is sinister, dangerous and must be fought. Reform UK will do just that.'
Advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Laughing gas epidemic spreads to Majorca as urgent warning issued over ‘rampant' sale of party drug that scars Brits
AN epidemic of laughing gas abuse is spiralling out of control in Majorca, furious locals have warned. Dealers are flooding the island's party hotspots and leaving Brits at risk of seizures, permanent scars and even death. 7 A tourist in Majorca being sold balloons on a night out Credit: Ultima Hora 7 Nitrous Oxide balloons openly being inhaled on the notorious party strip in San Antonio Ibiza where two balloons were €10 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 7 Holidaymaker inhaling balloons on the notorious party strip in San Antonio, Ibiza Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 7 Finished balloons litter the street on the notorious party strip in Ibiza Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd The trade association Acotur says the sale of balloons filled with nitrous oxide is now 'rampant' in Its president, Jose Tirado, is demanding an urgent crackdown, warning: 'It's totally out of control.' Street dealers are openly targeting tourists with balloons for a fiver a hit – sparking fears the island is going the same way as Ibiza. There, young Brits have been filmed foaming at the mouth, collapsing with seizures, and even scarred for life by the dangerous drug. Read more about Spain Mr Tirado said: 'It is inadmissible. We merchants pay our taxes and we see how the mafias take away our customers.' He blasted officials for failing to protect businesses, warning trade has plunged 20 per cent this summer compared to last year. 'We are tired of calling the police and they don't come. In fact, they would have to go with trucks to be able to take the attempted quantities of counterfeits that they sell,' Mr Tirado explained. Police insist they are cracking down, revealing more than 20 operations have been carried out between June and July, with 50 reports filed, numerous items seized, and 23 fines slapped on illegal vendors ranging from €450 to €750. Most read in The Sun Inside Ibiza 'death hotel' on lockdown after 2 Brits die in a month… as rooftop guards watch tourists & parties banned Lucmajor council added that more than 200 fake items have been confiscated in Playa de Palma raids. But Mr Tirado says the problem has exploded since officials banned laughing gas sales in clubs and bars, pushing the trade onto the streets where gangs operate with 'total impunity'. 'We can't take it anymore,' he fumed. Seizures, scars & street chaos The crisis mirrors Ibiza's notorious San Antonio strip, where determined dealers armed with industrial-sized canisters Bartender Katie Mae, 21, who works at Irish pub Shenanigans, said laughing gas is 'the worst of them all.' She told The Sun: 'I'll lecture anyone I see taking it – I've seen the worst things from laughing gas. 'I've seen young lads having seizures on the street and foaming at the mouths, but their friends are high so do nothing to help. 'One girl I saw inhaled gas straight from the canister, and it froze one side of her face. It was all cut up and she would have been scarred for life.' She added: 'The consequences aren't talked about anywhere near enough. People don't take it seriously as a drug – but it's one of the worst.' 7 Dealers in San Antonio are armed with huge canisters that pump out up to 80 hits Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 7 Nitrous oxide balloons litter the floor on the notorious party strip in San Antonio Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Another Brit working the strip admitted she once sold laughing gas until a customer 'nearly died'. She recalled: 'A young lad fell backwards and smashed his head on the road in the midst of a balloon high. As soon as that happened I stopped. It really freaked me out.' The West End of San Antonio is now littered with colourful balloon scraps, as locals despair over the chaos. Shopworker Angelica Giraldo, 40, said: 'It is everywhere now. And it causes lots of accidents. People take it while driving, but it makes them go crazy and they crash. This happens a lot.' Official crackdowns Despite laughing gas being illegal in Spain, street sellers continue to brazenly peddle it, some even using apps to warn each other when police are near. San Antonio Town Council says it is hiring ten new officers and introducing private security to tackle the scourge. 'The City Council is fully aware that these are only the first steps in a broader transformation process and that there is still a long way to go,' it said. But for locals in Majorca, patience is running thin. Mr Tirado warned: 'This tourist season is not being as good as the previous ones, so the economic problems of the merchants have worsened even more. 'In Majorca we have diesel tourists: they walk a lot and spend little.' 7 The streets in San Antonio are full of tourists inhaling nitrous oxide Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Can a neighbour keep my kid's football if it lands in their garden during summer hols?
SUMMER holidays often see Brits flocking to their gardens to soak up the sunshine. It's a perfect chance to enjoy outdoor games like football, but what should you do if your child's ball lands in your Advertisement 3 The garden is a perfect place to play football Credit: Alamy 3 However, things can take a turn if you kick the ball into your neighbour's garden Credit: Alamy If your ball lands in your First, you need to ask your neighbour to return the ball to your child. However, should they refuse, there is a process you can follow. According to Barrett Homes and West Yorkshire Police, your neighbour is legally required to return the ball back to you - if it landed on their property. Advertisement Read More on Football If they fail to do so, this could be regarded as theft. At this point, Brits are advised to contact the Citizens Advice Bureau to consider their next steps. Simply retrieving the ball yourself could be considered trespassing, which could land you in big trouble. The sentence for trespassing can be a huge fine of £2,500 or even four months in prison. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Any damage to your neighbour's property could make you liable to legal consequences. If you have a problem with your neighbour repeatedly kicking balls into your garden, consider using a mesh netting to block them. Fans go wild as England beat Spain on penalties to win Women's Euro 2025 final Though, talking to them about the problem is a much easier first step. The news comes after Advertisement Lidl's range includes a bouncy castle with a basketball hoop for just £49.99. The product is on sale in the brand's famous middle aisle, which sells special products for a limited amount of time. The supermarket is also selling a £6.99 decoration which can give your garden an ethereal glow. Also located in the middle aisle, Lidl is selling the Livarno Home Solar Light Decoration which comes in a variety of styles. Advertisement The designs include butterflies, birds and dragon flies hanging from the ornament. The lights, intended to brighten up gardens, are described by Lidl as "atmospheric decoration with soft colour-changing light". 3 You are legally entitled to ask for the ball back Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Brit breaks his back in horror pool plunge in Ibiza as island reels from deaths of four UK tourists in just three months
A BRITISH tourist is in intensive care after breaking his spine in a hotel swimming pool in Ibiza. The horrific accident happened in the same town, San Antonio, where four Brit 5 Another accident has struck in a San Antonio hotel, this time leaving a young Brit with a broken back Credit: Darren Fletcher 5 Four people, including three Brits, have died at Ibiza Rocks Hotel since late April - though it's not known where the latest accident happened Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 5 Gary Kelly's death at Ibiza Rocks Hotel prompted all events to be suspended The 23-year-old was seriously injured on Tuesday afternoon after jumping into the pool at the hotel where he was staying. He dived from a height of 1.2 metres and hit his head on the bottom, sustaining multiple serious injuries. He suffered a spinal cord injury, a fracture to the sixth vertebra, head trauma and a cervical injury. It is feared that he will be paralysed and never fully recover, reports read more on brit ibiza deaths Two ambulances were called to the scene following the incident, where he was stabilised before being transported to the Policlínica del Rosario. The hospital said the Brit underwent emergency brain surgery overnight. Four Brits have It isn't yet known which hotel the injured 23-year-old was staying. Most read in The Sun Two weeks before that, 26-year-old Evan Thomson lost his life in similar circumstances. Laughing gas 'epidemic' sweeping party island with tourists left foaming at mouth, having seizures & permanently scarred Evan's loved ones slammed the hotel's response to his fall in the days following it. They claimed they were stuck in an office for hours without answers and heard pressure washers cleaning the spot where he fell just 90 minutes after he fell. After Gary's death, Ibiza Rocks temporarily suspended its programme of daytime events, which usually pump out music by the pool until 8pm. In between the deaths of Gary and Evan, a third Brit lost their life to a fatal fall in San Antonio. An unnamed 25-year-old plunged from a supermarket car park in the town, and died in hospital from his injuries the following day. 5 Fellow Brit Evan Thomson died just over two weeks before Kelly in similar tragic circumstances 5 The Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio - where two Brits have died just months apart Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Ibiza Rocks was Staff at the popular San Antonio party spot are on edge - with non-guests banned from the hotel and security guards pacing the roof with torches at night. Hotel guest Layla Right, 25, from Newcastle, revealed that staff have been beaming torches at anyone "di**ing around" on the balconies. She told The Sun: "As soon as they see anyone being silly on the balconies, they flash the torch straight at them. "They must be terrified of it happening again." The owners of the Ibiza Rocks has said they are 'reviewing' safety measures following reports they have agreed to raise the height of their balcony railings. Bosses are said to have agreed to carry out a number of improvements during a meeting with council bosses in San Antonio last week. Full statement from Ibiza Rocks When approached for a comment about the spate of deaths at the hotel, Ibiza Rocks said: "The tragic incidents of the past few weeks have deeply affected many. "We continue to work closely with the authorities and our thoughts and support remain with everyone impacted. "Much of the hard work that goes into safety and security in hotels and venues across the world happens behind closed scenes. "With thousands of guests passing through our doors every summer, it takes a collective effort from our team, security and local partners to maximise safety for all. "In times like these, care matters - but so does action. "We have zero tolerance for any behaviour that puts our guests or our team at risk and we are building on the strong work we already do to go even further. "Out of respect and privacy for the people involved, we don't usually comment on individual reports posted online, but that certainly doesn't mean we're not always listening. "We're committed to working with anyone who raises solid concerns so that we can establish the facts and take the appropriate steps. "Our hotel remains open and more information on the future events programme will be shared as soon as possible."
