A police force has tried to stop journalists covering the Newcastle grooming scandal from contacting the victims directly.
An 18-strong Asian gang were convicted of plying girls with drink and drugs before abusing them – sparking a national outcry and calls for the law to be changed and sentences toughened up.
But Northumbria police told reporters trying to cover the abuse that contrary to normal practice, they should not contact victims directly.
They issued two warning notices to journalists telling them that any approach to a victim should be made through the police force.
And they have warned that reporters who have tried to speak to a victim again after being turned away could face being given a harassment warning.
Such notices can be kept on file by police forces and can come up in advanced criminal record checks.
According to the Press Gazette, the force issued the following warning to journalists: ‘Despite issuing two notes to media requesting journalists do not directly contact victims we are aware that some media are still continuing to do this and have provided them with an update from court.
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H/t reader kevin a.
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