An activist walked into a police station with a signed statement saying he supported Palestine Action – but was not arrested.

Gordon Dimmack said he went into a West Midlands Police building on July 15 and “handed myself in”, expecting to be detained. Instead, officers took his personal details and the declaration before letting him walk out.

At the start of this month, Palestine Action was proscribed by the Government under the Terrorism Act, meaning membership or support of the group is a criminal offence. Currently, anyone convicted of membership or inviting support faces up to 14 years in prison.

Police forces have arrested dozens of people across the country under the terror laws at demonstrations over the past three weeks, many of whom were holding signs that said: “We support Palestine Action.”

Writing in a blog, Mr Dimmack described what happened. He said: “On Monday July 15, I walked into a police station and handed myself in.

“I did it calmly, peacefully, and with absolute clarity. I told them who I was. I told them I support Palestine Action. I told them I’ve encouraged others to do the same. 

“I handed them a printed declaration confirming all of it – and I made clear that I understood the legal risk, including the Terrorism Act’s potential 14-year sentence for ‘encouragement’.

“They took my ID. They took my declaration. They took my phone number. And then… they let me go. No caution. No arrest. No interview under caution. Nothing.”

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “The man’s details were taken at the time. The investigation is continuing.”