UK a full-blown police state: Elite police unit to monitor social media for anti-migrant posts | 26 July 2025 | An elite unit of detectives is being convened to monitor social media for anti-migrant posts. The National Internet Intelligence Investigations team will operate from the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC) in Westminster, drawing officers from forces across England and Wales. The unit will be tasked with flagging early signs of potential civil unrest and "maximising social media intelligence," after last year's riots exposed gaps in police planning. Critics seized on the plan, branding it "disturbing" and warning of free‑speech infringements. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused the government of trying "to police what you post, what you share, what you think" because it "can't police the streets" itself. The NPoCC, which led the nationwide police response to Covid lockdowns under Operation Talla, will coordinate the new unit.