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JK Rowling: Police rule no criminal offence by activists who shared her address online

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 11: J.K. Rowling attends the premiere of
Police say there was no criminal offence by activists who posted JK Rowling's address online. (Getty Images)

Police have said they will not be charging those responsible for publishing JK Rowling's address on social media.

The Harry Potter author claimed in November last year that she had been the victim on 'doxxing' - publishing private information on the internet for malicious purposes - after being targeted by activists who disagree with her stance on protecting sex-based rights for women.

A photo was taken outside of her home which revealed her personal address and circulated online.

But a Police Scotland spokeswoman has now said in a statement to the BBC: "Inquiries were carried out and no criminality has been established."

Read more: Harry Potter's Evanna Lynch denies JK Rowling was given 'cold shoulder' by film cast

Watch: JK Rowling accuses 3 people of sharing her address online

At the time Rowling had thanked the police for their support, saying: "I want to say a massive thank you to everybody who reported the image to @TwitterSupport. Your kindness and decency made all the difference to my family and me. I’d also like to thank @PoliceScotland for their support and assistance in this matter."

The writer has received death threats since being accused of transphobia.

She became the target of trans activists after a series of posts on Twitter last June, responding to a story with a headline that read: “Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.”

British author and screenwriter J.K. Rowling poses upon arrival to attend the UK premiere of the film 'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald' in London on November 13, 2018. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)        (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
JK Rowling said she had been the victim of 'doxxing'. (Getty Images)

She tweeted: “‘People who menstruate’. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”

She went on to publish an essay online in which she claimed - as a domestic violence survivor - that she felt allowing trans people to use single-sex bathrooms and changing rooms could be "offering cover to predators".

Rowling was criticised for her remarks by Harry Potter stars including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.

(L-R) David Heyman, Emma Watson, JK Rowling and Rupert Grint, with the Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema award received for the Harry Potter films, in the press room at the 2011 Orange British Academy Film Awards, The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London.   (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)
Rupert Grint has said JK Rowling is like his auntie. (Getty Images)

Read more: JK Rowling hits back at being 'cancelled' after receiving pipebomb death threat

But Grint said in a recent interview with The Times: “I liken JK Rowling to an auntie. I don’t necessarily agree with everything my auntie says, but she’s still my auntie. It’s a tricky one."

And Evanna Lynch - who starred as Luna Lovegood in the movie adaptations of Harry Potter - told GB News: "I think there are things we don't all agree with and don't understand.

"I've talked to all the cast, they all have great respect for her if they don't agree with her beliefs."

Watch: Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch defends JK Rowling