Police say they are working to bring a “swift return to normality” following a protest against a paedophile who has moved back to Grantham.
There was a significant police presence in Uplands Drive on Sunday afternoon when people gathered to protest, calling for Richard Wayne Bullimore to leave town. He returned to Grantham at the end of April.
Ch Insp Mark Housley, of Lincolnshire Police, said: “We are aware of significant community tension in the area and we are working with all parties to ensure public safety and bring about a swift return to normality.”
Bullimore, then aged 53, was jailed in 2002 for 15 years for the rape and sexual abuse of three young girls.
A large police presence ensured Sunday’s protest was largely confined to the green in Uplands Drive and away from the house in which Bullimore now lives with his wife. Protesters blew whistles and held up banners saying “Justice for victims, stop the torment of victims, get the paedophile out!” and “Victims should not be victims again”.
Protester Annette Pask has set up an on-line petition which has so far collected nearly 400 signatures within a few days.
She has urged Grantham MP Nick Boles to support the campaign to remove Bullimore from Grantham’s streets. She says: “Innocent people affected by crime should have the right to live in peace. This man cannot be in the slightest remorseful for his actions if he is happy to return and mentally torture these people again. We need to stand up and fight for the rights of the innocent. Please sign my petition and make people wake up to the ridiculous decision they have made in allowing this man to once again reside in this neighbourhood.”
Mr Boles has responded to the petition. He said: “I have written to The Rt Hon Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Justice, Ministry of Justice, to raise concerns that paedophiles are permitted to return straight back into the communities in which they carried out their crimes after their release from prison. I will update change.org as soon as I receive a reply.”
Annette’s page is at www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-boles-mp-remove-an-unwanted-sex-offender-from-our-neighbourhood