The UK’s lead police officer on child protection has said forces will “potentially” have to look at working with so-called paedophile hunters.

Senior officers have previously said vigilante groups such as The Hunted One could put child abuse investigations at risk.

But figures obtained by the BBC show an increase in the number of cases where evidence gathered by paedophile hunters is being used.

More than 44 per cent cases of the crime of meeting a child following sexual grooming used this evidence in 2016, compared to 11.3 per cent in 2011.

Chief Constable Simon Bailey, the national lead for child protection at the National Police Chiefs’ Council, told the BBC: “(These) vigilante groups are putting the lives of children at risk.

"I’m not going to condone these groups and I would encourage them all to stop, but I recognise that I am not winning that conversation.

“I think (working with vigilantes) is something we’re going to have to potentially have to look at, yes, but it comes with some real complexity.”

In April a brawl broke out in Bluewater as The Hunted One live streamed a sting operation on Facebook.

The footage showed a man in a red top, who didn't seem to be part of the group, appearing to kick a man as the sting descended into violence.

Security guards from the shopping centre could be seen stepping in to prevent any further violence before police officers arrive.

The target, Mirza Beg, 29, was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court in August for 40 months after he turned up with condoms, believing he was meeting a 14-year-old girl.

Kent Police issued a warning at the time about vigilante groups.

Chief Superintendent Thomas Richards, who is head of Kent Police’s public protection unit, said: “Evidence-gathering is a very specialist job and can take considerable time and skill to ensure it is of sufficient quality to bring a high-risk offender to justice.

 

“Although seemingly well-meaning, this can significantly hinder our work, compromise ongoing investigations and negate months of investigative work.

“There is also the risk that it can potentially identify people who are completely innocent and mistakenly associate them with grooming offences.

“I would add that whilst police have resources and expertise to protect the vulnerable and people with mental health issues, members of the public generally do not, and can cause such individuals to be placed at serious risk of harm.”