Elite police unit to monitor social media for anti-migrant posts
IndependentJUL 26
UK to Create Police Unit to Monitor Social Media Unrest
Above: Protesters against asylum seekers being housed in the Brook Hotel on July 26, 2025 in Norwich, U.K. Image copyright: Martin Pope/Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
Last year's riots highlight the importance of government monitoring online activity to prevent the spread of violent disorder. Alongside greater regulation and accountability, content must be monitored in real-time so that harmful posts and individuals are identified before it is too late. The government has a responsibility to ensure the physical and digital safety of its citizens.
Right narrative
Creating elite police units to monitor online activity represents dangerous overreach that criminalizes legitimate concerns. This Orwellian surveillance dismisses genuine grievances about immigration policy as undemocratic activity. Instead of policing thought crimes on social media, the government should instead seek to solve the migration and asylum crisis that has brought Britain to the brink.
Metaculus Prediction
There is a 66% chance that Labour will reduce small boat crossings in the English Channel by at least 50% this parliamentary term, according to the Metaculus prediction community.