A new report based on U.K. police data indicates that thousands of Brits were put in handcuffs last year just for exercising their free speech online.
The Daily Mail announced last weekend that, based on data from 39 out of 45 UK police districts, at least 9,700 British citizens were arrested for social media posts deemed “offensive.” The outlet called the data “shocking” and declared, “Britain's police state can today be unmasked.” Arrests fell somewhat from 2023 to 2024, but it is unclear what the final numbers will be this year.
Under the country’s anti-speech laws, U.K. citizens accused of creating “grossly offensive” or “indecent” posts could face up to two years in prison upon conviction, The Daily Mail noted.
Cumbria Constabulary claimed the highest arrest rate in the U.K., according to The Daily Mail, with 217 arrests in 2024. Gwent Police was second at 204 arrests.
Maya Thomas, legal and policy officer at civil liberties group Big Brother Watch, condemned the huge number of arrests in comments to The Daily Mail. “Despite the prime minister's assurances that 'We're not censoring anyone,' the UK is unfortunately gaining an international reputation as a country where online speech is policed with more enthusiasm than the types of crime causing people the most anxiety and concern,” she said.
The Daily Mail emphasized that while the 2024 arrest total appears lower than the 13,800 recorded in 2023, the true figure is likely well above the 9,700 reported, as six police stations—including Police Scotland, the second-largest—did not provide data.
The most shocking part about the U.K.’s assault on free speech is that even non-British citizens have been targeted. Irish comedy writer Graham Linehan, who now lives in the U.S., was arrested at London’s Heathrow Airport in September for posts that he had written in America criticizing transgender activists.
Free speech is under attack! Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on hate speech and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us using CensorTrack’s contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.
