To think that this is not ok?

[angularmerkel]

I have just seen a live stream on my fb feed of a man being 'stung' by a 'paedophile hunting' team. It was not far from me (next town along) and people were all commenting along the lines of 'bang to rights', 'hang him', 'paedo' and similar and much worse.

The thing is this was a live stream - this guy's wife was apparently away on a hen weekend, so it's not out of the realms of probability that she could have been viewing this incident live. Not to mention other friends, family members and people who may have children who know this guy and who would, understandably, be upset and horrified to be seeing this unfold.

AIBU to think that it's not ok for 'paedophile stings' like this to be shown on social media? However horrible the alleged crime might be they should have the normal rights anybody has in law (remain silent, innocent until proven guilty etc) but moreover their friends and family shouldn't find out what has happened via a fb feed?

With Awwlookatmybabyspider on this..

I find this very suspect.

I wonder if they get some kind of thrill out of pretending to be a teenage child. It's creepy.

A case here fell apart because the idiots put it on social media.

People on this stream were saying where he worked and tagging people in who must have known him. The knock on effect could be devastating.

I am not trying to minimise what the guy's supposed to have done or what he may have been about to do, it's horrible. But I can see how easily some of the people who seems to be revelling in it could turn nasty or do something silly to an innocent party.

Surely all this just makes the police's job more difficult. I'd really like to know what the police think of these 'hunters', whether they're a help or a hindrance b

We are getting loads of these in our area and I have real issues with it. I really want one of the cases to be tested in court to ensure there has been no entrapment but most of them will plead guilty.

If these groups aims were purely to catch sex offenders then they would have no need to live stream it. The problems it creates for others cannot be emphasised enough. Not to mention one day it will lead to the death of someone.

I believe someone in England did kill themselves shortly after one of these stings.

I have so sympathy clearly for sex offenders, but this is not the answer. It’s dangerous.

The problem is that the justice system is lacking.

Just the other day I read that a paedo that plead guilty had his sentencing adjourned so he could go on holiday.

With a justice system like this, is it really any wonder people are taking matters into their own hands?

If the police and courts won't protect kids, who will?

And I'd imagine the publicity around these stings is to let people know these people are paedo's because nothing much will happen to them through the courts.

Look how long it took the police to intervene in these paedo rings up north.

If someone is guilty of this then they deserve all they get, and I personally don't give a toss about their families really. I know that are probably innocent but if them being caught up as collateral damage is what's needed, then so be it.

Op, most of us that have spoke about don’t agree with it but will obviously deal with them when they are reported.

There is a group near me who do this and the police actively discourage it because it can affect the chances of getting a conviction. They might be doing out of a desire to protect children and get these people off the streets but they are not doing it the right way.

I agree with you too. By all means report what you know to the police, but the vigilante style sting all over social media is only ever someone trying to make themselves look good.

My SIL was sharing a similar thing from her town the other day, where a few men with placards camped up outside a sex offender's house - kids had been throwing stones the next door neighbours house because of the attention the adults had been giving it. The whole farce made them look like knobs, and they clearly don't see the irony in the SO being removed for his safety because the police believed him to be at risk of harm.

There are a couple of these groups near me that post on local facebook groups. But the "stings" don't happen in the act of trying to meet someone. They happen on the person's doorstep when the wives and kids are home. I don't think that's ok.

It's not ok for vigilantism full stop, whether it's on Facebook or not.

I do wonder too if there is a "look at us, we are heroes!" thing about it. Otherwise why the need to make a huge fuss about it? Do the messaging thing, inform the police and let them do their job. But they dont, they film it and brag about it which suggests there is more to it than a simple desire to protect children.

Mob mentality is very dangerous.

With the possible imminent release of John Warboys who served just 9 years for multiple rapes and sexual assaults and often dirty peados being given suspended sentences. Is it any wonder people are getting a tad pissed off, with this mickey mouse justice system and don't anyone say to me "but baby spider paedophiles never get suspended sentences" because they damn well have done.

Forevertired19 sex offenders and pedophiles have for years been kept away from other prisoners usually in there own blocks we have a prison near me that house a lot of sex offenders and when released don't go home but stay around god know how many pedophiles live near me

I'm not suprised vigilantes are doing what the police should have been doing.

I have no sympathy for pedos and they deserve everything they get.

I think half of these vigilantes actually get a sexual kick themselves out of pretending online to be a child and chatting to their fellow paedos.

Doing it under the guise of being a “vigilante” makes it acceptable. Personally I think it’s a case of “thou doth protest too much” for a lot of them.

Eliza would you be happy to be the collateral damage then if someone in your household got stung.

idont I go on warrant executions frequently for online sex offences, the police do deal with it. These groups are solving nothing.

@suzy really? :o I thought it was a new thing? I used to visit a prison where my stepdads partner worked but I was too young to remember any details etc.

But it's like in this case.. Say for example Jon venables and I know this is extremely controversial and different as he killed Little James Bulger but now he's keeping handbooks on how to safely have sex with children.. Think of it this way, surely it's best his anonymity is stripped as he just can't seem to get this out his system? He's sick in the head. I'd want to be aware of this person if they lived in my area. Do I care about his family? No. Do I care about my children and others children who could be a victim to people like this? Absolutely.

I go on warrant executions frequently for online sex offences, the police do deal with it. These groups are solving nothing.

Neither is the police. Neither is the judicial system. I have no sympathy for pedos.

idont To be perfectly honest and without being negative, nothing will ever stop sexual offending.

I'm not suprised vigilantes are doing what the police should have been doing.

The people in communities who do this sort of thing, in my experience, will have grown up with a view of the police being "the plod"/"pigs" who go in the way of their pals having "fun". Shockingly enough, if someone has evidence of this sort of thing going on, and they report it through Crimestoppers, or through 101, the police will actually look into it and investigate it if there's merit.

Sex offenders don't exactly get an easy time of it when they get a suspended sentence. Their name/photo plastered across the local or national press, losing their job/unable to get work, stigma for their family. Because this > I have no sympathy for pedos and they deserve everything they get. < is the general mood around them. They're lepers until their sentence expires, if it ever does.

I can’t see how things like this, especially streamed live do much to help and I actually wonder if they can hinder the police in their proper investigations.

Mob mentality and vigilante groups are dangerous and can easily do more harm than good.

So, for those who think that this is ok - what if it was someone you knew who had this happen to them - your dad, partner, brother or son. Would that change the way you feel? It wouldn't be your fault but it's likely that you'd be targeted?

I assume people do know that police forces have departments that do exactly this type of work although it is strictly monitored and regulated?

I know how I feel about my children and if they were under any sort of threat. I'd want it to be known publicly.

If it were my son/daughter I'd want it known to protect other children who's parents feel the same way I do and we all do about our own dc.

My dp? I'd join the targeting to bring him down.

No I don't agree with vigilantes the "evidence " they have should be given to the police and let the police get on with their job , this is the problem with trial by social media everyone had an opinion wether they are in full possession of the facts or not , and it often jeopardizes a police investigation and criminal trial, and what for so the vigilantes can have their 15 minutes of fame