MASKED protestors with megaphones have appeared outside a Worcester court to attack 'secret family courts'.

The small group gathered outside the railings at Worcester Crown Court this morning, two wearing Guy Fawkes masks but they claimed to have much wider support but that many were afraid to speak out.

They explained the protest was both against the family courts, which sit in the Worcester Crown and County Court in Foregate Street, but also about wider issues involving social services with other protests planned for County Hall.

One of the protesters from Worcester, who did not wish to be named, said: "I can only see my children two hours a fortnight. But I can get arrested for talking about my case. Everything is done behind closed doors."

He added: "Hundreds of people support me but they're afraid to speak out. They might get gagged and contact with their children might be stopped. We're complaining about the courts and social services. They're all together."

One woman, who wished to be known only as 'tum mum' said: "These secret family courts are corrupt."

She added: "There's a hell of a lot of miscarriages of justice going on in these courts."

 

Tina Russell, chief executive for Worcestershire Children First , said: “Worcestershire Children First staff keep children and young people at the heart of everything they do and we take steps to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm where it is necessary. We understand at times people can be unhappy about the interventions of children’s services in their lives. Through our quality assurance programme we are always listening to and learning from the experiences of children young people, parents and carers and we use this information to develop and improve our services. Everyone has the right to express their view through peaceful protest and or use of the complaints process.”

The court has also been approached for a comment.