On 31 March 2014 three Metropolitan Police officers issued Croydon Advertiser reporter Gareth Davies with a Police Information Notice prevention of harassment letter.

This PIN was prompted by him sending one email and making one doorstep visit to convicted criminal Neelam Desai.

Davies was following up on complaints from readers that Desai had conned them out of tens of thousands of pounds.

He was warned that if he contacted her again he could be arrested.

We urge you to cancel/rescind the PIN against Davies for the following reasons:

1. He did nothing to warrant it being issued. As a responsible journalist he had a duty to follow up on concerns raised by readers and put the allegations to Desai in order to give her right of reply.
2. The PIN will show up on an enhanced criminal records check, so tarnishes Davies' character
3. This PIN sets a dangerous precedent and means that other journalists could be deterred from carrying out public interest investigations.

 Background from Press Gazette:

http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/subject/Gareth%20Davies