Gloucestershire Police Officer Arrested for Hamas Support

A Gloucestershire Police officer, aged 30, was arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing South West on suspicion of supporting Hamas, a proscribed terrorist group under the Terrorism Act 2000. The arrest has raised concerns within the community and among fellow officers, as stated by Assistant Chief Constable Arman Mathieson. Searches are currently being conducted at a Gloucester property and a vehicle to locate digital devices related to the investigation. The officer is being held in a police custody unit outside of Gloucestershire. Mathieson emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and urged not to draw conclusions prematurely. The arrest follows heightened scrutiny over pro-Palestinian rallies in the UK, where some speeches were warned to risk glorifying terrorism.