A Gloucestershire Police officer has been arrested by the Counter Terrorism Policing South West on suspicion of a terrorism offence.
The officer was taken to a police custody unit outside of Gloucestershire.
The 30-year-old officer was apprehended at a property in Gloucester under suspicion of providing support for Hamas, as per Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Specialist officers are conducting several searches related to this investigation, including a vehicle and a Gloucester address.
Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Arman Mathieson said: “The arrest of a serving officer on suspicion of such a serious offence will no doubt cause our communities concern, as it does everyone who works for Gloucestershire Police.
“It’s important to note the suspected support relates to activity online and the searches taking place are predominately to locate digital devices for analysis. The arrest has been made to allow for a prompt and effective investigation to take place and we must not draw any conclusions at this stage.”
