“PEOPLE need to be aware just how bad it is.”

That’s the chilling message from the head of a group which snares paedophiles.

Set up 15 months ago, Leeds-based Predator Exposure prides itself on uncovering those who go online to groom children - and bringing the culprits to justice. 

With a huge online following - nearly 140,000 people ‘like’ the group’s Facebook page - Predator Exposure says it is “passionate” about protecting the innocence of children. Its live streamed sting videos boast thousands of views, with countless comments praising work of the ‘paedophile hunters’. 

Last week, Richard Myers, 44, of Manningham Lane, was jailed for nearly three years after being caught in a sting by the group. Myers admitted one charge of attempting to sexually communicate with a child, two counts of attempting to engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and five offences of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

And while West Yorkshire Police says it shares the concerns of groups like Predator Exposure, it has urged them not to carry out this activity, stressing that it is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies. 

The head of the group - who gave his name as Phil - said he set it up after being asked to find out who had been messaging his friend’s daughter. 

And after exposing him live on Facebook, the married father-of-five says he was bombarded with messages, launching an operation which has seen the group catch nearly 30 people, most of who have been convicted or are waiting to go court, said Phil.

“I’m doing my best to make a difference,” he said. “But obviously, we’ve not touched the tip of the iceberg, but if we can save one child, it’s all good.”

He added: “People need to be aware just how bad it is. I never knew how big it was. It’s not getting worse and worse, but it has always been kept under wraps. The internet opens a big gateway for them to come and attack our kids, but it opens a gateway for us to go and catch them.”

A police spokesperson said: “While the force does of course share the concerns of these groups regarding the internet activity of potential child abusers and the danger they present, it must be stressed that the activities they seek to engage in are the responsibility of law enforcement agencies.

"West Yorkshire Police fully investigates all allegations of child sexual exploitation and has dedicated, specialist safeguarding officers in all our policing districts."

Police urged such ‘exposure’ groups to instead report suspected offences to the force.