Trolls warned after abusive Operation Shelter comments
POLICE INTERVENE AFTER OFFENSIVE POSTS ONLINE
Crime Reporter SIX people who left offensive comments on social media about the Operation Shelter sex gang have been tracked down by police.
Northumbria Police posted a series of articles on its Facebook page following the conviction of 18 people after an investigation into sex exploitation in Newcastle’s West End.
But the force received a complaint after a number of comments were left on the page, referring to the race and religion of the perpetrators in the case.
An investigation was launched and police have now traced six people who were behind the posts deemed to be offensive and potentially criminal.
Officers have now spoken to these individuals and warned them about their behaviour.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “As a result of a complaint, we can confirm we looked into a number of comments posted on the how the men would prey on force’s Facebook page. troubled females and lure them to
“Following an investigation, parties where they were plied with which has now concluded, we drugs and booze before being used spoke to two males as voluntary for sex. attenders and visited a further The offenders were all Asian four people in their homes, and or Eastern European descent, provided them with words of while their victims were all advice. white British, a pattern that
“All expressed their mirrored similar cases in remorse and stated Rotherham, Rochdale that the intention of and Oxford. their comments The perpetrators was not to cause were convicted concern or to be after a series of offensive and linked trials. have acknowledged But the judge the placed reporting words of advice restrictions on the provided.” cases, banning
In total, 17 men the media from and one woman reporting the proceedings have been jailed as part until all the trials had of Northumbria Police’s concluded. Operation Shelter investigation. After the court order was lifted,
Newcastle Crown Court heard Northumbria Police published Northumbria Police details of the investigation and its outcome on its Facebook page, along with pictures and details of the offenders.
The posts attracted number of comments.
The Chronicle understands that, after receiving a complaint, Northumbria Police reviewed all of the comments and two crimes were recorded. Both were racially aggravated public order offences.
And it was decided there were eight comments which required action.
Northumbria Police is now issuing a large a warning to users of its Facebook page offensive comments will not be tolerated.
The spokesman added: “We would like to make it clear that we will not tolerate the posting of offensive remarks and we will take all reasonable steps to remove them and take appropriate action.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to remind people using social media that they should do so responsibly and ensure they do not post anything which could be considered offensive.”