Vigilante Stings - Are They Justified ?

[Canary42]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35449817

Judge Richard Foster said: "This group had taken upon itself to track down individuals they perceived to be paedophiles. The courts cannot encourage vigilantes or groups like this and the proper course of action is to involve the police and to leave the police to do the work."

Is this sort of sting acceptable, provided when once having caught the offenders they then hand them over unharmed to the police ?

The judge says "no", I wonder what the police say.

[woofgang]

not police but I say no too.

[jackthehat]

Hmmmm....it's a knotty issue.
The Fear Team seem to have been quite restrained and gathered sufficient evidence to present to the 'authorities' and for them to proceed with and gain a prosecution.

Unfortunately, not all 'vigilante' groups are quite so restrained

[whiskeryron]

If there were not people like Adrian Fantanaru the situation would not have arisen would it ?

[hc4361]

There is a risk that vigilante groups could undermine a police investigation that has involved many hours of police work.

[douglas9401]

Maybe the judge thinks it may result in his having to sit around the court when he should be working on his handicap.

[mushroom25]

if you justify vigilante action "because they're paedophiles", how much of a step beyond that is the legitimising of murder "because they're paedophiles".......

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/10/mother-cleared-of-after-stabbing-convicted-paedophile-to-death
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/convicted-paedophile-killed-after-broom-handle-sex-assault-court-hears-a6693216.html
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/11/police-overlooked-threat-man-killed-mistaken-for-paedophile-bijan-ebrahimi

[douglas9401]

Red herring season already, mushroom?

[mushroom25]

so douglas, you'd look the other way then?

[hc4361]

None of those in three links you provided were found not guilty, mushroom, so they were not legitimate attacks.

[douglas9401]

No, I'd try to stay with the story being discussed.

[ToraToraTora]

set a trap for low life scum and catch some, now there's a funny thing. true to from post from canary!

[retrocop]

Decent,honest civilians who are appaled at the disgusting depraved actions of perverts and are doing their civic duty by accruing evidence and handing them over to police. Lucky the police get this scum intact and unharmed.
Years gone by the police would recommend the beak commend these people for doing a public duty and would be none to worried about the condition they were in when handed into custody.

[david small]

Doing civic duty, ah, the good old days.

[Old_Geezer]

I would hope that the police said, "No", also.

[Peter Pedant]

retro
I am not sure if you are saying the police support vigilante groups or dont support them....

the official view of those smooth chief constables armed with -ology degrees ( and your erstwhile masters ) is that they DON'T support them innit ?

I am confused that you are going against very clear guidelines
[ or perhaps they arent that clear - I could be wrong and frequently am]

[retrocop]

Depends what hat they are wearing at the time.The police have to publicly condemn vigilantes. "Oh no totally wrong.It is our job to bring these filthy felons to justice. We are the trained experienced guardians of justice. Just leave it to us!"
Meanwhile if you no longer wear that hat and have grand children who you love and would happily kill for to protect their innocence and well being then human nature says,"If the police are so restrained and cash strapped and shackled by political interference to turn a blind eye to prominent paedophiles then let those who are not so restricted do what is right for their fellow citizens.

[Peter Pedant]

clear - righto - thx for the clarification

[Islay]

No they are not justified ever. It also shouldn't matter if the police are on or off duty they should uphold the law at all times as that is what they signed up for!

[retrocop]

// It also shouldn't matter if the police are on or off duty they should uphold the law at all times as that is what they signed up for!//

Oh and indeed they do if allowed!