Essex Police issue statement over investigation into Holocaust Memorial Service incident in Harlow

Crime / Tue 3rd Feb 2026 at 11:59am

ESSEX Police have confirmed they have concluded their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Holocaust Memorial Service in Harlow.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “Following reports regarding a matter of concern at a Holocaust Memorial Service in Harlow, Essex Police have now thoroughly reviewed the incident.

All posts and footage have been fully assessed by senior officers, and we can confirm no criminal offences, including support for a proscribed organisation, have been identified.

We do appreciate and understand that the words used would be upsetting for many people who were at the event itself or read comments online, particularly given the significance of the day upon which this matter took place.

We are working closely with our partners in the community and faith leaders to ensure that all concerns are considered, understood and thoroughly reviewed.

This will include monitoring safeguarding concerns to ensure the right agency takes the lead to resolve any ongoing issues.

“We continue to work closely with our Community Safety Partners, the community itself and faith leaders and, where concerns are raised, we will always assess and will act swiftly when criminal offences have taken place or are likely to take place”.

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https://www.yourharlow.com//?s=holocaust

8 Comments for Essex Police issue statement over investigation into Holocaust Memorial Service incident in Harlow:

AB

2026-02-03 12:44:42

The behaviour of the council and others is a shocking attack on free speech. Well done Essex Police for applying balance and sense.

AB

2026-02-03 12:49:18

Well done Essex Police for applying balance and sense. What a shame Harlow Council and others prefer to suppress free speech.

Phil

2026-02-03 17:08:28

Cllr Swords is against free speech and tries to have people arrested even though they havent broken the law.

Tim Read

2026-02-03 22:27:12

Phil, you clearly never studied Law nor read for the Bar. Cllr Swords merely referred an incident to the Police on the basis of reasonable suspicion that an offence might have been committed with regards to supporting or abetting a proscribed Terrorist group. He made such a referral objectively and correctly and without judgement. He expressed nothing with regard to as whether an offence had been committed. That was left to Essex Police. You really ought to be more careful otherwise you could find yourself on the wrong end of a libel suit.

David Forman

2026-02-04 08:34:45

Tim Read, if you have ever carefully read the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust's theme for 2026 then it is patently clear no offence was committed. That's even before we take account of Human Rights Act Article 10 free speech rights. An over reaction on the part of Harlow Council and Dan Swords now made crystal clear by Essex Police.

Stuart G

2026-02-04 10:54:10

I assume Dan will now apologise to Razed Roof and retract his collective punishment. More chance of stopping the tide. Wonder how he'll react if (when) Razed Roof win the Harlow Awards!

Scott Hegley

2026-02-04 11:41:14

Probably another rush of blood to the head by the over-excitable Councillor Swords. We only have to recall his behaviour over the Endeavour House (formerly Redstone House) affair where in a 24 hour period he not only raised the spectre of an influx of illegal immigrants being housed at said building, but then claimed a highly dubious "victory" over the Home Office 24 hours later after he realised he had gone too far in whipping up local concerns on the issue.