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The Crime Agents

Q&A: ‘Paedophile Hunters’, citizens’ arrests & prison killers

4/20/202624 min

'Paedophile Hunters': vigilantes who attempt to lure and confront suspected sex offenders, before calling the police in an attempt to entrap them and have them arrested. But are these self-appointed groups a help or hindrance to the authorities? Do their stunts lead to more sex offenders being convicted? Or do they just waste police time? Andy & Neil explain how this phenomenon has grown over the last few years, and whether 'Paedophile Hunters' are a problem for police, or part of a solution.

Later, Neil explains whether members of the public would be wise to attempt a citizens' arrest on a police officer if they suspect the officer is committing a crime, and Andy reveals what happens if a prisoner who's already serving time for a serious offence kills a fellow prisoner.

Plus, Andy & Neil look at the role social media played in radicalising the Southport attacker, and whether this strengthens the case for banning children from using social media.

Have a question for a future episode? Send it via email to thecrimeagents@global.com or follow us on social media @thecrimeagents

Clips

Ban Under-16s From Social Media
Why Police Don’t Name Suspects
The Social Reckoning Reveal
Vigilante Stings: Useful, Not Safe
Citizen’s Arrest Isn’t A Hunch
Why Prison Murders Persist
How Journalists Get The Name

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Neil Basu· Host0:01

    [upbeat jingle] This is a Global Player original podcast. If you're bringing somebody to justice who is a contact offender with young children, then we're always gonna say, "Thank you very much."

  2. Andy Hughes· Host0:11

    I have sat through so many criminal trials where drill videos or something said on TikTok has fueled a murder. I've seen it too many times.

  3. Neil Basu· Host0:21

    The old cliche is a cliche for a reason. There's no smoke without fire.

  4. Andy Hughes· Host0:24

    Mm-hmm.

  5. Neil Basu· Host0:25

    Being named publicly can be the end of your career, whether you're guilty or innocent. Very violent people who are sentenced to very, very long sentences don't really care what they're about to do.

  6. Andy Hughes· Host0:37

    Right.

  7. Neil Basu· Host0:37

    And we've seen it with terrorists, we've seen it with convicted murderers.

  8. Andy Hughes· Host0:40

    "Any advice?" And he just went, "Contacts, that's what this game's about," and that was it. That was the only bit of advice he gave me.

  9. Neil Basu· Host0:46

    [gentle music] The Crime Agents.

  10. Andy Hughes· Host0:49

    Hello, and welcome to this Q&A episode of The Crime Agents with me, crime journalist Andy Hughes.

  11. Neil Basu· Host0:55

    And me, the ex-cop Neil Basu.

  12. Andy Hughes· Host0:56

    Right. Let's get started. Matthew on Instagram, "On TikTok, I often see pedophile sting videos where people pose as underage girls and then confront suspects while waiting for the police. Is this actually helpful to the police and justice system, or could it be seen as entrapment that risks undermining cases?" I'll let you answer that one, Neil.

  13. Neil Basu· Host1:18

    Well, it's interesting. I've, I've known, uh, a few heads of the pedophile unit in the Metropolitan Police Service. Um, the reality is, is if you're bringing somebody to justice who is a contact offender with young children, then

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