Woman held on suspicion of supporting Hamas bailed

Sussex Police said officers were working to ensure people felt safe

A woman who was arrested on suspicion of supporting Hamas after a protest in Brighton has been bailed.

Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by many Western governments, including the UK.

The 22-year-old was held after Counter Terrorism Policing South East launched an investigation into a speech made at the demonstration on Sunday.

The woman, who is from Brighton, was held on Thursday and has since been bailed pending further enquiries.

Officers want to speak to anyone who was at the protest and who has footage of the speech or the event.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has said she expects the police to "use the full force of the law" against displays of support for Hamas.

The force has increased visibility across parts of Sussex to reassure communities.

Hamas kidnapped dozens of people and took them into Gaza during deadly attacks on Israel at the weekend, which killed more than 1,300 people.

More than 1,400 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched retaliatory air strikes, which continue.

Protests and vigils have been held in Brighton and Hove since the conflict began.

Under the Terrorism Act 2000, the Home Secretary may proscribe an organisation if they believe it is concerned in terrorism.

Hamas IDQ, the military wing of Hamas, was proscribed by the Home Office in March 2001.

The proscription was extended to cover Hamas in its entirety in November 2021.

Supporting Hamas is therefore an offence under terror legislation.

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