Concerns are being shared about how arrests for social media posts could be leading to the loss of freedom of speech.
The issue has been raised after reports show that police are making 30 arrests a day for offensive online communication.
Bushey councillor Maxie Allen was recently arrested alongside his partner for making complaints about his children’s school in a WhatsApp group.
Now, Sir Oliver Dowden CBE, MP for Hertsmere, has submitted written Parliamentary questions requesting details on the policing of social media.
The Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention Dame Diana Johnson declined to answer, stating that “the requested data is not centrally held”.
Sir Oliver MP has voiced his frustration, saying: “I am incredibly disappointed by the Home Office’s lack of response to my questions.
“Excessive arrests for ‘offensive’ online posts constitute both a significant infringement on freedom of speech and a fundamental waste of resources.”
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