Met Police Chief Plans Law Changes to Limit Social Media Policing

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley plans to propose new legal reforms to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood aimed at giving police more discretion to use common sense when handling social media complaints. The proposals would reduce the obligation for officers to record and investigate social media posts unless there is clear evidence of intent to cause real-world harm, shifting police focus back to street crime. This move follows public backlash over incidents like the high-profile arrest of comedian Graham Linehan, who was detained over tweets perceived as offensive but not criminal. Critics argue current rules, including the requirement to log non-crime hate incidents, have tied officers' hands and led to policing of toxic culture wars rather than real threats. Mahmood has expressed support for a more pragmatic approach to policing online content to maintain public confidence while protecting free speech. The Met is collaborating with other policing bodies to develop these reforms and hopes to present them within weeks, reflecting a collective desire to balance free speech with online safety without overburdening officers.