Woolwich Attack: Total Of Three Young Men Arrested For Offensive Social Media Comments After Soldier Beheaded In London Attack [UPDATE]

The Woolwich attack that shocked the whole nation of Britain has sparked millions of conversations on social media. A total of three young men have been arrested, with one still in police custody, for making offensive comments on Facebook or Twitter about the London terror attack.

UK’s The Mirror reports that a 22-year-old man has been charged on suspicion of making malicious comments on Facebook after British soldier Lee Rigby was beheaded in London.

Benjamin Flatters was arrested last night after complaints were made to Lincolnshire Police about comments he has made on Facebook, which were allegedly of a racist or anti-religious nature.

Flatters was charged with an offense of malicious communications Saturday in relation to the comments, a Lincolnshire Police spokesman said.

A second man was also visited by officers and was warned about his behavior on social media, the spokesman added.

The arrests come after 25-year-old Drummer Rigby was brutally murdered on a street in Woolwich, south east of London, Wednesday.

Rigby, originally from Manchester, fought in Afghanistan with the 2nd Batallion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Flatters has remained in police custody since his arrest and will appear before magistrates in Lincoln tomorrow.

The charge comes after two men were earlier released on bail after their arrest for making alleged offensive comments on Twitter about the murder.

Complaints were lodged to Avon and Somerset Police about remarks that appeared on the information network, which were also allegedly racist or anti-religious in nature.

A 23-year-old and 22-year-old, both from Bristol, were held under the Public Order Act on suspicion of inciting racial or religious hatred with their social media comments.

Detective Inspector Ed Yaxley, of Avon and Somerset Police, said of the incident:

"On Wednesday evening, we were contacted by people concerned about comments made on social media accounts.

"We began inquiries into the comments and at around 3.20am two men, aged 23 and 22, were detained at two addresses in Bristol.

"The men were arrested under the Public Order Act on suspicion of inciting racial or religious hatred. Our inquiries into these comments continue.

"These comments were directed against a section of our community. Comments such as these are completely unacceptable and only cause more harm to our community in Bristol.

"People should stop and think about what they say on social media before making statements as the consequences could be serious."

An official from the Avon and Somerset Police has confirmed that both men were released on bail pending further inquiries.