Two arrested on suspicion of inciting violence over calls for protest at Cheshire hotel
The pair are being questioned over a post on social media site Snapchat
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated harassment, after a post of Snapchap urging people to attend a protest at a Cheshire hotel.
Cheshire Police say the post contained "misleading information stating that the hotel was home to a number of asylum seekers", but ultimately didn't result in any disorder.
A 32 year old man and a 34 year old woman, both from Chester, were detained yesterday.
Both have now been released on bail pending further enquiries.
It follows a string of protests across the country sparked by online misinformation, in the wake of the murders of three young girls at a dance class in Southport.
Cheshire Police Chief Superintendent Jonathan Betts said:
“Firstly I would like to thank the local community for all their support during this investigation.
“As these arrests demonstrate, inciting violence online, whatever the motivation, will not be tolerated in Cheshire and we will take robust action against all those involved in such activity.
“These messages have been posted in order to cause hate and disorder in our communities. Anyone who is found to be encouraging such offences, be that online or in person, will be dealt with."