The police force who are probing a journalist for allegedly inciting racial hatred has failed to investigate a controversial Iman who called for “Zionists” to be eliminated.
Shaykh Shams Ad-Duha Muhammad was flagged to Essex Police after footage emerged of the Iman saying that those who support the existence of Israel should be “punished”.
The force was urged to “investigate” the remarks by users online, who tagged Essex Police on social media.
However, the force said that the remarks - made last year during a sermon in Chelmsford - could not be used as a report of crime. They said crimes can only investigate and assess potential crimes if they are reported by phone or through its website.
Essex Police has recently come under fire after they sent officers to journalist Allison Pearson’s house on Remembrance Sunday over “an incident or offence of potentially inciting racial hatred online” in regards to a social media post she made on November 16, 2023.
The officers told her that they could not disclose what the specific post was referring to, however, she was posting regularly about the October 7 attacks on Israel around this time.
Essex Police said officers had opened an investigation under section 17 of the Public Order Act 1986 relating to material allegedly “likely or intended to cause racial hatred”.
The Iman’s comments during the sermon - where he called for Allah to “defeat the enemy” and to “grant us victory over the disbelieving people” - were flagged to the police three days before Pearson made the tweet in question.
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The force receives around 90,000 engagements from the public across its social media platforms every year, meaning it is difficult to spot reports of crimes from a post.
The Iman has made numerous controversial comments in the past. In 2013, he said that Muslim girls should focus on having children rather than careers, and also labelled homosexuality a “vice among vices”.
In 2022, after being flagged to the police after various remarks, residents in Chelmsford were told that no criminal offences had taken place.
“As you will be aware, the footage is a compilation of numerous excerpts of interviews and recorded preaching in which views that may be contrary to the beliefs of others are outlined,” the officer wrote.
“The rights of all individuals to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which includes in public or private, and in worship, teaching practice and observance is one that is enshrined under Article Nine of the Human Rights Act.
“And whilst you are of course afforded the right to disagree with the views of others where no legislative UK criminal offences have taken place, either through the words used or conduct displayed, then as the police we are unable to take any action.”
Yesterday, it was revealed that Essex Police has recorded over 1,500 non-crime incidents in the span of two years, though failed to answer non-emergency calls in a “swift” manner during the same period.
In data obtained by Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from The Times, the force logged 702 non-crime hate incidents between June 2023 and June 2024, and 834 the year prior.
In a separate police watchdog inspection, it was discovered that the force fails to “promptly resolve non-emergency calls”.
The investigation found that the slow response time could “contribute to a loss of confidence in the service”.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: "As a force, we ensure it is really easy for people to make a report. If you’re aware of an alleged offence, get in touch. We encourage anyone to make a report concerning any alleged offence.
"Simple tagging of our force social media accounts will not constitute reporting a crime, as we need to be able to effectively triage, record, assess and take certain key details with any reports we receive.
"Thankfully, we have a number of simple methods of reporting offences, which we ensure we promote consistently. You can let us know by submitting a report on our website. Alternatively, you can call us on 101. Always call 999 in an emergency."
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Shaykh Shams Ad-Duha Muhammad was flagged to Essex Police after footage emerged of the Iman saying that those who support the existence of Israel should be “punished”.
The force was urged to “investigate” the remarks by users online, who tagged Essex Police on social media.
However, the force said that the remarks - made last year during a sermon in Chelmsford - could not be used as a report of crime. They said crimes can only investigate and assess potential crimes if they are reported by phone or through its website.
Essex Police has recently come under fire after they sent officers to journalist Allison Pearson’s house on Remembrance Sunday over “an incident or offence of potentially inciting racial hatred online” in regards to a social media post she made on November 16, 2023.
The officers told her that they could not disclose what the specific post was referring to, however, she was posting regularly about the October 7 attacks on Israel around this time.
Essex Police said officers had opened an investigation under section 17 of the Public Order Act 1986 relating to material allegedly “likely or intended to cause racial hatred”.
The Iman’s comments during the sermon - where he called for Allah to “defeat the enemy” and to “grant us victory over the disbelieving people” - were flagged to the police three days before Pearson made the tweet in question.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Essex Police records hundreds of non-crime hate incidents but failed to answer non-emergency calls in same two year period
- Police should concentrate on tackling crime, says Starmer in free speech row over Allison Pearson tweet
- Top Tory MP hits out at ‘policing thought’ amid Allison Pearson probe: ‘It’s ridiculous!’
The force receives around 90,000 engagements from the public across its social media platforms every year, meaning it is difficult to spot reports of crimes from a post.
The Iman has made numerous controversial comments in the past. In 2013, he said that Muslim girls should focus on having children rather than careers, and also labelled homosexuality a “vice among vices”.
In 2022, after being flagged to the police after various remarks, residents in Chelmsford were told that no criminal offences had taken place.
“As you will be aware, the footage is a compilation of numerous excerpts of interviews and recorded preaching in which views that may be contrary to the beliefs of others are outlined,” the officer wrote.
“The rights of all individuals to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which includes in public or private, and in worship, teaching practice and observance is one that is enshrined under Article Nine of the Human Rights Act.
“And whilst you are of course afforded the right to disagree with the views of others where no legislative UK criminal offences have taken place, either through the words used or conduct displayed, then as the police we are unable to take any action.”
Yesterday, it was revealed that Essex Police has recorded over 1,500 non-crime incidents in the span of two years, though failed to answer non-emergency calls in a “swift” manner during the same period.
In data obtained by Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from The Times, the force logged 702 non-crime hate incidents between June 2023 and June 2024, and 834 the year prior.
In a separate police watchdog inspection, it was discovered that the force fails to “promptly resolve non-emergency calls”.
The investigation found that the slow response time could “contribute to a loss of confidence in the service”.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: "As a force, we ensure it is really easy for people to make a report. If you’re aware of an alleged offence, get in touch. We encourage anyone to make a report concerning any alleged offence.
"Simple tagging of our force social media accounts will not constitute reporting a crime, as we need to be able to effectively triage, record, assess and take certain key details with any reports we receive.
"Thankfully, we have a number of simple methods of reporting offences, which we ensure we promote consistently. You can let us know by submitting a report on our website. Alternatively, you can call us on 101. Always call 999 in an emergency."
Find Out More...