Chris Wittwer, Britain's 'Facebook Vigilante' has created a Facebook database of nearly 6,000 registered sex offenders.
Wittwer, 34, spent two years compiling names, mugshots, newspaper reports, and court records from counties all across Britain, the Telegraph reports. The Exeter warehouse worker has attracted 18,000 followers to his 44 Facebook groups.
Although Wittwer's first Facebook group was shut down by local authorities, he explains that he was able to continue after he proved "No hearsay or unconfirmed allegations go on the site. That's how I've been able to continue legally."
Wittwer went on to say of his undertaking:
"I feel really proud - it's quite an achievement and if it helps people spot sex offenders living in their area, who are a known risk to children, then I've done a good thing. [...] "
"But it's not a question of being a hate mob - it's the simple fact that on the national sex offenders register you can access some information but you can't see the faces of those who commit the crimes. [...]"
"With my groups you can see the picture of the offender, their name, the date of their offence and where they were resident at the time."
He also claims to have ‘secret’ sources passing details from the sex offenders’ register.
He said: ‘I feel really proud. It’s quite an achievement and, if it helps people spot sex offenders living in their area who are a known risk to children, I’ve done a good thing.’
However, police and crime experts accused him of acting irresponsibly and putting victims of mistaken identity in danger of revenge attacks.
Mr Wittwer was given a suspended prison sentence in May 2007 after being involved in a pub brawl which left the victim with a broken jaw.
He also received a three-year international banning order after being convicted of football hooliganism in 2004.
The father-of-two, from Exeter, said: ‘I fully admit, I’ve been in trouble in the past – but I’ve turned the corner in the last two years.’
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