Protests to remove alleged sex offenders in County Durham

In the last two weeks, “peaceful” protests have been carried out – some with the help of or promoted by online groups – in the likes of Wingate, Peterlee, and Horden. 

It is understood that the protests have been in a bid to remove alleged sex offenders and paedophiles from communities in the region. 

At least two protests were held in Wingate in the final week of March. 

On March 30, crowds demanded that four people be removed from the area, and they were eventually moved by police for their own safety. 

Nobody was arrested – but damage was caused to one address.

Tensions reached boiling point at a protest in Horden on Good Friday (April 3) too, which eventually erupted into violence. 

Officers were pelted by bricks and had an e-bike rammed into a police dog van during the “serious violence” that took hold amid the protest. 

A home on a street in Horden was also destroyed, with shocking footage seen by The Northern Echo showing the trashed property, which had been vandalised by graffiti. 

Durham Police has confirmed that three people have been arrested in recent weeks, today adding that violence and criminal damage “will not be tolerated”.

A 26-year-old man was arrested on March 31 on suspicion of harassment and persistently making use of a public communication network to cause anxiety. 

He has been released on bail while further enquiries are carried out. 

A 20-year-old man was arrested on April 4 on suspicion of harassment with fear of violence and persistently making use of a public communication network to cause anxiety. 

He was also released on bail while further enquiries are carried out. 

A 41-year-old woman was arrested on Easter Sunday (April 5) to prevent a breach of the peace. She was dealt with by way of a community resolution.

Protests are continuing to be planned across the North East this week, with one understood to have taken place as recently as last night in South Shields.

While not all are organised by groups and are community led, some recent protests have been promoted or attended by them. 

Some of these groups upload posts claiming to be the locations of alleged sex offenders on social media sites including Facebook. 

One of the groups, which we have chosen not to name, states that violence and damage is “not something we want to happen” and is “not something we are inciting others to do”.

Superintendent Victoria Cubby said: “While we will always uphold the right to lawful protest, we will take necessary action against anyone who deliberately chooses to act outside the law.

 “Violence or criminal damage towards our community will not be tolerated, and we will take action against anyone involved in this type of behaviour. 

“The safety of everyone, including the public and police, remains our top priority.”