On July 26, 2025, the UK Home Office launched the National Internet Intelligence Investigations Team (NIII), an elite police unit based at the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC) in Westminster, tasked with scouring social media for anti-migrant posts and signs of potential civil unrest. Comprising detectives from forces across England and Wales, the team aims to “maximize social media intelligence” to flag content deemed threatening, following last summer’s riots sparked by misinformation about a Southport attack. The unit’s creation aligns with new online safety laws restricting unverified users’ ability to share content, tightening state control over digital expression.

The NIII operates under Home Office directives to provide real-time intelligence to local police, enabling rapid response to perceived online threats. A July 25, 2025, NPoCC report notes the team monitors posts, likes, and comments, prioritizing content questioning immigration policies, which they label as potential “public safety risks.” This follows a 2024 police inspectorate report calling last summer’s social media monitoring “disjointed,” prompting a centralized approach. The unit’s funding is secured through 2026, with plans to expand its AI-driven surveillance tools, already tested by the Counter Disinformation Unit (CDU), now rebranded as the National Security Online Information Team.