Havering’s child rioters could be named and shamed

Youths involved in the recent rioting could be named and shamed in court under new guidelines issued by the crown prosecution service (CPS).

So far, three children from Havering, aged 11, 12, and 17, have appeared before magistrates, but it is forbidden to publish their identities.

However, following the national rioting - where it is thought around a fifth of all those involved were under 18 - the CPS is urging prosecutors to ask for restrictions to be lifted after conviction.

Home Secretary Theresa May said juveniles involved in the disturbances should be named, as part of the Government’s tough justice approach to rioters.

The guidance says there is now a strong public interest in naming young offenders where there has been:

• significant public disorder where the public will rightly need to be satisfied that offenders have been brought to justice and there is a need to deter others;

• serious offences which have undermined the public’s confidence in the safety of their communities;

• hate crimes which can have a corrosive impact on the confidence of communities.

Under current law section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 grants automatic anonymity in the youth court, while section 39 allows similar reporting restrictions to be imposed in magistrates’ court and crown court.

Currently, both restrictions can be challenged if there is a strong public interest, as was the case for the Jamie Bulger killers.