George Hamilton warns vigilantes accusing people of paedophilia 'aren't always getting it right'
The PSNI Chief Constable has said people involved in social media 'sting' operations on alleged paedophiles, are jeopardising future court cases.
Last updated 26th Jan 2018
Speaking exclusively to Downtown Cool FM, George Hamilton said the trend for so called 'paedophile hunter' groups in recent months is a dangerous development.
A number of videos on social media sites show men or women being cornered by vigilantes, who accuse them of being involved in paedophilia.
But the Chief Constable says carrying out these sting operations has serious consequences:
"They're not always getting it right.
"We haven't actually seen one case that they have brought to our attention, have a prosecution decision yet from the Public Prosecution Service."
Mr Hamilton said their actions may compromise evidence which could potentially be used in court:
"We think there will be real challenges because of the integrity of the evidence, because of their actions frankly of getting it to that point.
"We're working closely with the PPS around all of that.
"I acknowledge that what these people are doing on the face of it seem to have some degree, in some quarters of community support.
"But actually they're suddenly acting within the law, these people are not always doing that."
Mr Hamilton called on people involved to contact the police instead:
"If they've got information, if they've got intelligence, if they've got evidence, bring it to the police.
"Allow us and support us, we would be grateful for them to do that, so that we can get on with doing our job rather than these people taking the law into their own hands."