UK hunts those who break worldwide ban protecting James Bulger murderer

The British government has launched an investigation into any social media users who have posted messages that could reveal the identity of child killer Jon Venables.

In 1993 Venables and Robert Thompson, both aged 10, kidnapped, tortured and killed two-year-old James Bulger on Merseyside in a case that made headlines around the world.

Venables and fellow murderer Thompson have been living under new identities since their release from prison in 2001.

READ MORE: UK child killer Venables back in jail over child porn
READ MORE: Jon Venables 'jailed over child porn offence'

However, a worldwide injunction that prevents the media or anyone in the world publishing photographs of the pair or information that can identify them, is under threat, The Guardian reports.

Venables, now aged 35, was arrested last week in the UK after a routine visit to his home by officials apparently uncovered indecent material.

The images were of "sickening" child pornography, The Sun claimed.

News of the arrest prompted heated debate around the ongoing protection of Venables and Thompson.

The father of James Bulger demanded that police issue an up-to-date photo of Venables, so that people would be aware of the danger he may pose to small children.

Venables was recalled to jail in 2010 for a similar offence relating to child pornography.

In the wake of Venables' arrest, a series of messages have been posted on various social media platforms giving information that could identify him.

A spokesperson for the UK attorney general's office confirmed to The Guardian an "anonymity order has been breached and we are investigating it.”

In 2013 two men were handed a suspended sentence for posting photographs on social media websites allegedly identifying Venables and Thompson.