Man arrested over 'target Jewish businesses' post

A man has been arrested after a social media post called for Jewish businesses to be "targeted with stink bombs".

The post, which was reportedly a comment on the Brighton and Hove Palestine Solidarity Campaign Facebook page, also suggested throwing "ripe fruit and eggs" at synagogues.

Sussex Police said officers attended an address in Newhaven on Sunday afternoon after receiving reports of threatening comments posted on social media.

The man was arrested on suspicion of four offences.

These included sending offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing messages, using threatening words to stir up religious hatred, making threats to damage or destroy property and possessing a Class B drug.

The man was arrested on Sunday and has since been released on bail, the force added.

Det Ch Supt Richard McDonagh said: "We acknowledge the deep distress and concern that can be caused by threatening, hateful and antisemitic messages to members of the Jewish community and the wider public.

"Threats of any kind are completely unacceptable, and anyone who seeks to target individuals within communities of any faith group can expect a robust response.

"We urge people not to speculate to allow our full and thorough investigation to take place."

Brighton & Hove Palestine Solidarity Campaign told the BBC that it was an anti-racist organisation.

"We do not tolerate racism of any kind," it said.

"We deleted the post as soon as we were made aware of it."

The group said that the person who posted on social media was not known to them.

A spokesperson for the Sussex Jewish Representative Council said it was "very grateful that Sussex Police acted so swiftly".

"At a time when we have seen global attacks on Jewish communities and nearer home in Manchester, any threats to us must be taken seriously and dealt with with the full force of the law," they said.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.