London's Met Police to set up an anti-troll brigade

LONDON'S BOYS and ladies in blue will soon go on the virtual beat in a bid to seek out and destroy, or probably discourage, online trolls.

Yes, the desk-based Metropolitan Police resource will be there to look out for hateful speakers and anyone who has things to say that are designed to be offensive and hurtful to others.

Trolls are a problem, and not in the under the bridge sense, and can cause people to be upset and, on occasion, to actually leave social media networks.

The Online Hate Crime Hub will deal with the trolling problems, just like Twitter is doing, and with the victims, according to the London Mayor's Office and a range of reports.

We have asked the mayor and the police about the troll taskforce and are waiting for them to get back to us.

"Those targeted can become isolated, living in fear of the online behaviour materialising in the real world," said the London Mayor's Office, according to an Engadget report.

"The police response to online hate crime is inconsistent, primarily because police officers are not equipped to tackle it."

The campaign is being funded by the Home Office, according to information released earlier by the mayor and his people. Funding of £1.7m for an online hate crime hub was set free by the government in July.

"The programme comprises an innovative online hate crime hub, involving a dedicated police team, that will build technological and community capacity to address a technology-based concern," was the boast at the time.

"It will improve the police response, capability and intelligence to facilitate counter measures that can reduce and prevent further criminal activity and victimisation; ensure that victims are effectively identified and receive timely support; and build community capacity to respond collectively to online hate." µ

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