The Troubling Online Suicide Forum That Continues to Operate Despite Warnings

An online suicide forum linked to dozens of deaths, including at least six in Greater Manchester, is still operating despite multiple warnings. The site, which the Manchester Evening News is choosing not to name, was strongly criticised by Manchester west coroner Timothy Brennand in a series of recent reports. Mr Brennand warned more people could die unless action was taken against the forum and the sale of a poison it 'promoted' information about.

The warning followed a 'cluster' of eight suicides in Bolton, Salford and Wigan involving an unnamed substance. They included 45-year-old Kelly Walsh, who died after taking the chemical at her home in Atherton, Salford University student Matthew O'Reilly, 18, and Samuel Dickenson, a 33-year-old father of two from Leigh.

Mr Brennand said in a 12 month period police traced 45 people in the UK and Europe who had died after taking the unnamed substance and another 40 who had bought it intending to take their own lives. One website, which was linked to at least six of the suicide inquests overseen by Mr Brennand, has been under investigation by media and internet watchdog Ofcom since April.

Despite multiple warnings the US-based site still appears to be open to anyone in the UK with open internet access, including children. Said to be well-known among those struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, it currently has more than 56,000 members worldwide, while more than 2.8m messages have been posted, many of them disturbingly graphic.

One of the most viewed posts is an account of the suicide of a forum user taking the poison by a friend who witnessed their death. In other posts users tell of their intention to take their own life, as other forum members offer encouragement.

Many other forum users discuss the difficulty of buying the poison in the UK since the police started cracking down on its sale. One user describes the police entering their home and confiscating the chemical.

The forum's home page also includes a response to the Ofcom investigation, describing it as a 'clear and unprecedented overreach by a foreign regulator against a U.S.-based platform'. It adds: 'We reject this interference and will be defending the site's existence and mission.'

Ged Flynn, chief executive of national charity Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide said online dangers such as suicide forums and 'relentless social media' were among the 'overwhelming pressures' young people are faced with.

An Ofcom spokesperson said: 'In March, duties under the Online Safety Act came into force that mean service providers must now take steps to protect their UK users from illegal content and activity – including encouraging or assisting suicide. In April, we launched our first investigation under the Act, which was into the provider of an online suicide forum.'

A government spokesperson said: 'Our thoughts are with the families and friends of all those who have tragically lost their lives in these incidents. We have received the Future Prevention of Deaths Report from the coroner and we will consider it carefully. The Government keeps dangerous substances under constant review to ensure appropriate regulation and controls are in place.'