Petition · past parliament

Make the act of child grooming illegal in England and Wales

Closed 2,112 signatures

What the petition asks

Breck Bednar, 14 was murdered by someone he met online at their first meeting. At the moment the police can only arrest offenders if they meet the children they groom online. This would have been too late for Breck, so it is imperative police are able press charges before children are put in danger.
The legislation was endorsed by Mrs May while she was Home Secretary, but unfortunately still has not been enacted into law and has been waiting for two years. Meanwhile thousands of predators are thought to have gone unpunished as police can only arrest them if they are known to meet the children they groom online. The new law would make it illegal for an adult to send sexual communication to a child. This law will make the act of child grooming illegal in England and Wales.

Timeline

11 Mar 2017 Petition opened for signatures
2 May 2017 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 2,112
Status Closed
Opened 11 Mar 2017
Closed 2 May 2017

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.