[Wizard.]

Do you agree with people who pretend to be children to catch pedophiles then record them when they’re supposed to meet the underaged person the put it on social media?

[Marsh.]

Not really.

[Withano]

Not really. Recording them sort of creates a witch hunt.

That American show where actual police are involved works well, angry vigilantes don’t really.

[RileyH]

no

[Tom4784]

I don't agree with vigilantism, no.

[Jack_]

I think we had this thread recently and no not really, it's entrapment and I get the feeling that most of them are in it for the notoriety...like 'look at me, aren't I such a Great Guy catching these nonces'

[Wizard.]

It’s difficult because technically by pretending to be a child the person hasn’t broken the law and it could harm cases against the perpetrator, I think I have actually heard that the police say not to do it.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Riley.

It’s difficult because technically by pretending to be a child the person hasn’t broken the law and it could harm cases against the perpetrator, I think I have actually heard that the police say not to do it.

It harms the case even if they were to use a real child as bait, as because of "entrapment" I understand such evidence isn't permissible in a court case.

That's how I understood it anyway.

[Oliver_W]

I'm on the fence. If someone will arrange to meet a fake underage person, they'd meet a real underage person, and someone like that should face the law - I'm not gonna lose any sleep over crappy things happening to a paedo.
I guess the "middle ground" would be if someone recorded/screenshotted conversations, and passed them onto the necessary authorities, without making it public. That way, at the very least someone official might have half an eye on the situation, or be able to chip in if someone else reports the would-be groomer.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

I'm on the fence. If someone will arrange to meet a fake underage person, they'd meet a real underage person, and someone like that should face the law - I'm not gonna lose any sleep over crappy things happening to a paedo.

Except being tricked by a member of the public isn't facing any "law" and if said person was under investigation, forms of entrapment can actually jeopardise any legal proceedings.

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

Except being tricked by a member of the public isn't facing any "law" and if said person was under investigation, forms of entrapment can actually jeopardise any legal proceedings.

Agree with this... only disagree with them because people can go free because of their actions. I understand their point is that they're "going free as it stands anyway" but it surely wouldn't be that hard to just accost them and call the police there and then, rather than make footage of them harassing the suspect incredibly public just for likes on Facebook.

[Vicky.]

I would much rather padeos be speaking to and meeting fake children than real ones tbh. So I cannot get worked up over this tbh

[Matthew.]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I would much rather padeos be speaking to and meeting fake children than real ones tbh. So I cannot get worked up over this tbh

yeah i agree with this

[Cal.]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I would much rather padeos be speaking to and meeting fake children than real ones tbh. So I cannot get worked up over this tbh

.

[Black Dagger]

I don't have much time for vigilante's tbh

[user104658]

As I said on the other thread about this recently; it can go horribly wrong. Obviously. Because the people doing it are amateurs, and also usually pig thick amateurs. I personally know of a case where a group of facebook live "paedobusters", who looked like they'd come straight off of the set of "This Is England", posed as a 15 year old girl and busted a "paedo" who turned out to be a 16 year old boy. He also happened to be a 16 year old boy from another pretty rough family, who tracked down the "paedobusters" group, and let's just say it... ended with their facebook page going offline permanently. Amongst other things.

IF it was being done in an organised and professional way, and with care, then sure why not. As it is, it's being done by idiots who are really only looking for a "legitimate" way to throw their weight around and threaten people because that gives THEM a thrill, and they like the positive attention and praise they get on Facebook from other like-minded idiots. They make mistakes, hurt the wrong people, and ultimately end up getting themselves hurt too.

So no I don't agree with it.

[Maru]

If they're not law enforcement acting on part of an investigation, then all it does is make them smarter about how they go about it. A little YT video isn't going to stop any pervert with a tendency to sexualize children. Sadly...

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Maru

If they're not law enforcement acting on part of an investigation, then all it does is make them smarter about how they go about it. A little YT video isn't going to stop any pervert with a tendency to sexualize children. Sadly...

That's another thing I hadn't actually considered. There are people whose actual jobs are tracking and catching sexual predators... and having Bob-and-his-mates doing their own unofficial version will only make the really dangerous ones be more careful and hide their tracks better, so in the end they're less likely to be caught.

[LukeB]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I would much rather padeos be speaking to and meeting fake children than real ones tbh. So I cannot get worked up over this tbh

This

[Maru]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

That's another thing I hadn't actually considered. There are people whose actual jobs are tracking and catching sexual predators... and having Bob-and-his-mates doing their own unofficial version will only make the really dangerous ones be more careful and hide their tracks better, so in the end they're less likely to be caught.

Yeah I think it just makes them go for easier targets.. maybe children of people they know. Actually, if that person didn't have inclination either before... perhaps they won't forget the thoughts after being "prodded" that direction more or less... may actually go exploit a child to satisfy that urge. Sort of like a trigger that can open pandora's box so to speak...

[Livia]

Those who work within the law I think are a tremendous asset. There aren't enough police officers to cope with the time consuming act of trapping a paedophile. There are groups who catch them and hand them straight over to the police with all evidence. I think that is a public service.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I would much rather padeos be speaking to and meeting fake children than real ones tbh. So I cannot get worked up over this tbh

Me neither. It's hard to get worked up over people hunting paedophiles when those paedophiles are hunting children.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

It harms the case even if they were to use a real child as bait, as because of "entrapment" I understand such evidence isn't permissible in a court case.

That's how I understood it anyway.

There's at least one group of "paedo hunters" who work alongside Norfolk Constabulary. They're well-organised, keep records and hand over all evidence and transcripts to the police for prosecution. They are not brainless, violent chavs, they are men who have been affected by child abuse in one way or another. There are probably more groups, that that's the only one I know about for sure.

Entrapment is a sticky one anyway. To entrap someone the paedo hunter would have to approach a man and attempt to act in a way to make him commit an offence. Actually, these people hang about in chat rooms and the paedos contact them. So it could be argued that it isn't entrapment at all.

[Beso]

Yes, i just wish they would give the scum a good beating with bats b4 calling the police.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Livia

There's at least one group of "paedo hunters" who work alongside Norfolk Constabulary. They're well-organised, keep records and hand over all evidence and transcripts to the police for prosecution. They are not brainless, violent chavs, they are men who have been affected by child abuse in one way or another. There are probably more groups, that that's the only one I know about for sure.

Entrapment is a sticky one anyway. To entrap someone the paedo hunter would have to approach a man and attempt to act in a way to make him commit an offence. Actually, these people hang about in chat rooms and the paedos contact them. So it could be argued that it isn't entrapment at all.

A police organised investigation is completely different to slapdash vigilantism.