This needs reporting so it can be investigated

[yesthatsmyactualname]

I have been hearing rumours about an old colleague from various sources, let's call him Sid.
Sid is a gay man in his 30s. He has had a series of long term relationship with men younger than him but not crazy young, 3-5 years younger.
He is also involved in a lot of amateur dramatics. Apparently, his most recent relationship ended after he took a young guy to Blackpool for the weekend. They are just good friends but this is a lad of 18 and Sid was on the production team of the show.
Rumours about Sid being too friendly with a number of young boys. Being someone to look up to, being a mentor. It all could be completely harmless but the grooming rumours going round both the am-dram community and in schools, is a lot.
I feel these rumours should be passed on to either be dismissed and stopped or to stop him from harming children.
My colleague that told me the rumour isn't going to say to anyone in authority because they don't want to be involved or make malicious claims with no evidence.
I have even less evidence so would I be unreasonable to pass on what I've heard?

Staying over?

Report him. As an adult it is a duty to report your suspicions and this is inappropriate.

It may come to nothing but it’s best to err on the side of caution.

I don’t dispute that a 30 year old in a relationship with an 18 year old is questionable, even though it isn’t illegal.

But OP didn’t drip-feed the allegations that he’s having young boys to stay over at his house until people didn’t jump on the “report him” bandwagon.

And the truth is that nobody knows. If it’s true then however is privy to this information needs to report him. No question. But it’s simply not ok to start rumours that this man is having young boys staying over without any basis other than that he took an 18 year old to Blackpool.

If there’s evidence then they need to present it, not sit gossiping about it

I would always advise anyone with a child safeguarding query to contact NSPCC for advice.

I know where you are coming from OP.
Lots of recent reports about grooming of young teens/ young men in the nedia industry recently. And nobody seemed to "notice".
But I think you need to perceive these things first hand.
I would be direct with the people telling you about this: and what do you make of it? Do you suspect any possible grooming? Have you thought of it needing reporting? I would ask them direct questions.

You need to raise it with the safeguarding lead for them to take the necessary steps.

if this is completely innocent he needs to be sat down and explained to him that whilst not illegal his activities are potentially not appropriate as there is a power imbalance, and inviting/allowing teenagers to stay over especially those under age is of course going to raise concerns and rumours.

going to Blackpool with an 18yr old is consenting adults UNLESS this young man was mentored by him for a number of years there isnt anything you can do.

I've suggested to the others that lead the drama group that they put in place protocols suggesting no sleepovers after an after show party.
As I say, the only thing I know for certain is the 18 year old. The fact that he has known Sid for years and there are younger boys that he is close to does make me feel it is dodgy but I'm not really involved.
Interestingly, he is much closer to the boys than the girls, very much a mentor.
I like Sid. I really hope it is harmless, albeit stupid to put himself in the position of suspicion.
I really, really hope there is nothing to these rumours but I will feel terrible if the rumours are true and he wasn't stopped.

Well, you seem to be enjoying throwing his name around, speculating about it all yourself!

@yesthatsmyactualname I can't decide where you heard about the 14 year olds staying over.

So are you going to speak to someone about this or just let the rumours continue