Police urge child abuse vigilantes to back away

Self-styled paedophile hunters have been told “leave it to the professionals” as Amber Rudd announced £20million of funding for undercover units.

Detectives say vigilante groups such as Dark Justice or The Hunted One could put cases at risk. Detective Superintendent Steven Woollett, of the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate, said: “As they may be well intended, there is the potential to hinder police investigations.”

The funding will extend an initiative where undercover detectives operate in internet areas used by offenders. The Home Secretary said: “Child sexual exploitation has a profoundly devastating impact on the lives of its victims, and this project has shown some early promise.”