Accused of a serious crime

[JupitersCo]

What can you do about serious false allegations against you please? Being shared widely in local social networks - completely false (has been fully investigated and some more due to my work). Allegation is against me.

Would a cease and detest letter be appropriate? Are they even a thing?

If the allegation is being made by one letter you can get a solicitor to write to them telling them to stop and warning them that you will take action if they don't. You can sue them for libel, but be warned that can be expensive. Whilst they will be ordered to pay your costs if you win, that is unlikely to cover your full costs.

Following for advice

Hope you get this sorted, sounds awful

It probably depends OP.
If the allegation is definitely false (as in what is being spread is not a different version of something else if that makes sense) and it names you then you can approach the police and see if they will deal with it as harassment.
Do you know the person responsible for spreading it?
Were they the aggrieved party (as it were) in the matter?
If something false is printed about you (including on Social Media) you can try for libel but that’s a civil matter and you’d need a lawyer.
Its worth asking c a solicitor for advice.
Is this damaging your reputation or work? I mean you don’t need to answer that but if it is you my at have a case.
most police forces have an online means of submitting non urgent crime…

The police have been involved and have suggested the harassment route - they have been brilliant and have stepped up patrols around our home. However, they have also pointed out that it is a very long process and it potentially means a young person will end up with a criminal record (as well as the adult involved). They have organised visible presence at key times where they can, and also put some additional security on our home via the council. Thankfully our children go to school out of the area, but they have also suffered the impact as had abuse hurled at us in the street etc. plus our home has been targeted several times.

The allegation was made outside our home, to friends and neighbours, on social media and on messaging groups - plus it has been spread through two local schools - one school have come down very strongly.

I work with children, young people and families plus adults at risk - work have been very supportive. I thankfully do not work in the local area (work policy) but colleagues do. I don't think it has damaged my reputation.

In terms of me saying it's false - there was a conversation that took place, it was witnessed by professionals (an off duty doctor whom I don't know), public transport staff, on CCTV with audio recording. After the conversation took place I raised a concern with my work colleague who covers our area in order to ensure a young person had access to referral information. Thankfully I did this as it was before the allegations started and has shown the police that there was another side to the story.

How awful.

With your latest update and the threat to your children and your home being targeted I think I’d look further into the harassment route.
If you have irrefutable proof that the allegations are false I’d take it further. The police say the child and adult involved making the allegations could face a potential criminal conviction. On the other hand they may not, the may end up with a caution which may be enough to stop them.

This is awful Op.
I really feel for you.
If the police are patrolling it must be very serious indeed.
Are the police thinking of taking it to CPS?

The police haven't discussed too much but given me the options of what I could do. I do know they have spoken to the other people involved (young person and adult), and they have moved on the young person from outside our front garden on multiple occasions.

They have spoken to their seniors they did say to see if there were any other options as I am quite hesitant to go down a criminal route particularly if the young person is at risk (and they may be). I think they are going to try and speak to the school's again this week.

I think I will speak to the police again next time they come about possible options as right now it feels unsafe to be in our community.