CTIRU deals with surge in online terrorist content referrals following Hamas attack

Following a significant number of referrals from the public reporting potential terrorist content online, the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) opened reviews into 55 new cases last week.

Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, Commander Dominic Murphy, said: 

“Following last week's horrific terrorist attack by Hamas, and the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has led to significant concern in communities in London and across the country, I want to thank the public for helping us by reporting potential terrorist content online to our Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU).

“These referrals have already made a significant impact and we are currently reviewing 55 cases.

“They will also enable Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) to work with tech companies to remove content assessed to breach UK terrorism legislation, making the internet less permissive for terrorists and safer for those in our communities who may be vulnerable to radicalisation. They can also lead to investigations being launched into those in the UK who are suspected of breaching UK terrorism legislation through their online conduct."

Commander Murphy also encouraged the use of its Public Referral Tool, which allows concerned members of the public to report suspicious content anonymously.