Paedophile hunters warned by police

Self-styled paedophile hunters have been urged to “leave it to the professionals” as police bolster covert efforts to tackle online grooming. senior officers said vigilante groups such as Dark Justice and The Hunted One could put child abuse investigations at risk.

The warning comes as Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced £20 million funding to extend an initiative where undercover detectives in England operated in internet chat rooms and forums used by suspected offenders.