HARROGATE, North Yorkshire — North Yorkshire Police arrested a man at his home in Easingwold late on Thursday and took him to Harrogate police station after a complaint about a social media post, authorities and media reports said. The arrest was conducted on suspicion of a public order offence related to allegedly stirring up racial hatred.
The man, identified in news reports as blogger Pete North, posted video and written accounts saying officers arrived at about 9:30 p.m., handcuffed him in his home, and transported him to the custody suite. He said the post in question included the phrase “F*** Hamas” and related wording.
Footage posted by the blogger shows an officer telling him the force had received a report and that the hate crime team had reviewed the post. In the clip, the officer is heard saying investigators believed there were potential offences to explore.
North Yorkshire Police turn up to a man's hone in the middle of the night and cart him off to Harrogate police station.
— Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 (@TRobinsonNewEra) September 26, 2025
His "crime"?
Posting a "f*ck hamas" meme!
This is England 2025.
pic.twitter.com/cm7gd2iQue
North Yorkshire Police have, in recent years, said they treat hate crime seriously and investigate online posts when they receive reports. The force’s guidance on hate crime describes how offences can be reported and investigated. Police did not immediately publish a case-specific statement, but the arrest and subsequent custody were widely reported by UK outlets.
The arrest prompted quick criticism from free-speech advocates and some commentators who called the response heavy-handed. Supporters argued that the post targeted an extremist group and should not have led to a nighttime arrest. Others noted that the law applies regardless of the target and that police must consider reports of potentially criminal online material.
Legal experts say police decisions to arrest or to invite a person in for a voluntary interview can be influenced by the nature of the allegation, any previous conduct, and investigative needs. They cautioned that an arrest does not equate to a conviction and that many custody cases result in no further action.
For Jewish and pro-Israel readers, the case raises competing concerns: the need to counter and condemn terrorist groups such as Hamas, and the need to uphold robust standards of free expression that allow lawful political protest and criticism. Community leaders said clarity is required on how hate crime laws are applied to political speech in times of intense public feeling.
This article is based on verified information from The Spectator, The Telegraph, GB News, The Jerusalem Post, and North Yorkshire Police materials.