COPS have arrested more than 60,000 Brits for speech offences in just five years with people even being collared for TikTok posts.
Free-speech campaigners branded the crackdown “Orwellian” amid fears police are clamping down too much on everyday conversations.
A bombshell report by Big Brother Watch found 62,199 people were arrested over the past half-decade, with 18,510 charged and 12,292 convicted, the Mail on Sunday revealed.
Activists accept many cases are legitimate including those linked to domestic violence but they argue broadly drawn laws have unleashed a wave of over-zealous policing.
West Midlands Police in one case visited the home of a vulnerable teenage girl over a TikTok post featuring an image of a teacher alongside negative comments.
The investigation later concluded with the child formally told that no further action was taken.
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Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of British democracy. People should not be arrested for a tweet or Facebook post, no matter how much you may disagree with it.
“Police shouldn’t be wasting time on the internet. They should be catching real criminals.”
Free Speech Union director Toby Young said: “Free speech in Britain has been on life support since Labour came to power.
“Unless we come to its defence, I fear Andy Burnham is going to pull the plug.”
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