Police warning to child abuse vigilante groups

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 or The Hunted One could put child abuse investigations at risk.

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

Forty-three people were arrested and 19 were charged as a result of the year-long pilot in eastern England, led by Norfolk Police, and officers believe they have safeguarded at least 25 children.

Detective Superintendent Steven Woollett, of the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate, said the Government’s cash injection to extend the scheme to the rest of England and Wales would make a “real difference” in helping to identify suspects and protect children.

He declined to be drawn on how police work in an online realm that has increasingly seen members of the public take action to trap child abusers themselves.

Mr Woollett said offenders might become more evasive as a result of the groups’ actions.

“My personal view is, as much as they may be well intended, there is the potential to hinder police investigations,” he said. “My message to them would be we are professional law enforcement – leave it to the professionals.

“I would have to admit they’ve had some success – we need to balance that success against the potential harm by heightening the awareness of individuals.

“I think with all strands of criminality, those people responsible become more aware and more cute around their business.”

But he added: “I would not be able to say vigilante groups have increased that.”

His message was echoed by National Police Chiefs Council lead for child protection, Chief Constable Simon Bailey, who said police are arresting more than 400 offenders and protecting more than 500 children every month.

He said: “This increase in our undercover capability will send a clear message to socalled paedophile hunters: if you have information about child abuse, tell the police.”