Ten men who are the subject of injunctions preventing child sexual exploitation could become the targets of far-right vigilante attacks if identified, a court has heard.
The use of high court orders to ensure that the men have no further association with a 17-year-old girl in Birmingham is believed to be the first time such a legal device has been used to safeguard vulnerable juveniles.
If successful, such injunctions – which also bar the men from approaching any woman or girl under the age of 18 with whom they are not personally connected – could be adopted by other local authorities. It is believed to be the first time they have been used to combat child sexual exploitation.
Sarah Simcock, counsel for West Midlands police, told the court: “The men are considered to be at a high risk of retribution or targeting of their families due to the matter of the injunctions if they were to be identified.
“[The police] concern is that if the details of their identity were to be released there’s a risk for vigilantism. There well be a risk of vigilantism from the EDL [English Defence League].”
The judge, Mr Justice Keehan, replied: “It’s a matter for the police to manage the risk.”
There have been no criminal prosecutions. The court heard that the chief constable of the West Midlands was opposed to naming the 10 men who are the subject of the injunctions. Two of the men are in prison.
Lorna Meyer QC, for Birmingham Council, said: “In the steps taken by the local authority, to try to [establish] a workable system of early intervention and disruption of child sexual exploitation, they have been working with the police.”
The case continues.
