Online offenders pursued by Regional Organised Crime Units

Specialist officers have been tasked with pursuing online offenders and so-called influencers responsible for spreading hate and inciting violence on a large scale in the wake of violent disorder incidents over the last two weeks. 

Teams from across the country working as part of the national network of Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs) have confirmed they are investigating hundreds of leads. 

Leads from the Serious and Organised Crime team are working with Counter Terrorism Policing and other national agencies to review content across a range of social media sites and platforms.  

Officers will work together to build a clear intelligence picture of those believed to be organising and influencing violence both online, and in the real world.   

Content will then be assessed by a senior investigator to determine if it meets the criminal threshold and offenders will then be identified, arrested and charged.   

Chief Constable Chris Haward, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Serious and Organised Crime said:

“Let me be clear - inciting violence and encouraging mass disorder are incredibly serious offences.   

“This past week our communities have suffered in a number of ways – people have fallen victim to hate crimes and officers have been subjected to sustained violence and a number of important community buildings have been destroyed.  

“But this abhorrent activity didn’t happen by itself. Large crowds and gatherings didn’t mobilise spontaneously.   

“It was the result of dozens of so-called influencers, exploiting the outpouring of grief from the tragic loss of three young girls in Southport. They knowingly spread misinformation, stoked the flames of hatred and division and incited violence from the comfort of their own homes – causing chaos on other people’s doorsteps.   

“Anyone who has been a part of this appalling behaviour should be aware that we have specialist officers from the ROCU network monitoring content and working at pace to identify you.   

“Online crimes have real world consequences and you will be dealt with in the same way as those physically present and inflicting the violence. These crimes are deplorable and we will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice.”