The number of cases using evidence from so-called paedophile hunting groups tripled in two years.
Paedophile hunters spend hours talking to individuals online usually posing as a child
An assistant chief constable with responsibilities for tackling online child abuse said paedophile hunting groups were usually acting in their own interests rather than those of the children, diverted police resources away from other offenders and often committed offences themselves.Phil Hoban, from Beeston in West Yorkshire, established the group Predator Exposure in 2016.
He said paedophile hunters have to carry out their activities because the police were not doing enough."If we can catch them why can't they catch them?"I will carry on catching paedophiles. I will carry on to the day I die."Prosecutions involving 'paedophile hunter' evidenceSource: BBC analysis of FOI data
The proportion of cases involving this evidence had also grown, from less than 25% of cases in 2016 to more than 60% of cases in 2018. A spokesperson added:"Online child sexual abuse continues to be an evolving and deeply concerning threat posed by predatory sex offenders, at home and worldwide, and perpetrated online at the touch of a button requires local, national and international capability.
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