Police monitor 'paedophile' Facebook

Police in Limavady are monitoring a Facebook page which claims to identify paedophiles in the Co Londonderry town.

The website, which is 'liked' by more than 1,000 people, is being used to discuss the names and addresses of individuals living in the area.

A number of threatening remarks have been made.

Local officers said they have identified the owner of the page have "given advice and guidance on what is and what is not appropriate to be posted in the public domain".

A statement from Limavady Area Commander, Chief Inspector Sam Donaldson, said the PSNI will continue to monitor the site to ensure it "does not breach legislation".

He continued: "The management of sex offenders is understandably a very emotive and concerning issue for the community and we would like to reassure the public that it is an issue police are fully committed to dealing with in the most protective and professional way.

"All the agencies that work within the public protection arrangements including the Police, Probation Board, Social Services and the Housing Executive aim to keep local communities safer and protect the public.

"These arrangements have been inspected by the Criminal Justice Inspector, who paid tribute to the agencies saying that at an operational level the arrangements worked well.

"Public protection is our priority and everything we do is to protect the public from crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour and to make communities feel safer."

SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has said the Facebook page "is an affront to democracy" as it is "judge and jury on people who may be entirely innocent of any crime".

He called for new guidelines for social network sites making it clear when the benefits of social network sites ends and harassment and bullying begins.

He said: "The expansion of social network sites is a good thing which encourages dialogue between people and permits individuals and groups to raise serious causes which need to be supported.

Although much of the information on this particular page is already in the public domain through news reporting, we have a problem if and when individuals begin naming individuals on these sites with absolutely no evidence whatsoever - then they have stepped over the lines of common decency and possibly the law.

John Dallat

"It is my belief that this site is well over the line of what is acceptable and the police should have it closed down immediately," he added.

He said that the web has been used in the past to create fear in the community and target individuals.

"Communities must guard against those who masquerade as their protectors but, in their behaviour, prove to be anything but," he said.

Mr Dallat said that the management of sexual offenders is a matter for the police and judicial system.

Police said anyone who has general concerns around how sex offenders are managed should contact their local Police Station or Neighbourhood Officer on 0845 600 8000.