Calendar exclusive: The paedophile hunters snaring alleged sex predators on the streets of Yorkshire

A controversial group of self-styled paedophile hunters from Yorkshire have told Calendar how they use the internet to expose alleged sexual predators.

The group – made up of members of the public – set up fake profiles on Facebook supposedly belonging to teenage girls.

They then wait for contact from older men who, they claim, are using the social networking site to groom children.

According to the group it rarely takes long for some men to send sexually explicit messages – and eventually to suggest meeting up.

Armed with evidence, and wearing stab-proof vests, the group then confront these men in public – filming the confrontations and calling police to have them arrested.

Calendar was given exclusive access to the group as they prepared for and carried out one such 'hunt' on the streets of Yorkshire:

Phil Hoban, from Leeds, set up the group after he was contacted by a friend who told him that her daughter had been sent inappropriate messages online by an older man.

The group have confronted about "six or seven" alleged predators in locations across the county, including Hull, Sheffield and Leeds.

But they say the Facebook profiles receive dozens of messages every day from men who are trying to take advantage of children.

Nicola Burnley, a mother of two, said she got a great feeling of satisfaction from taking part in the "hunts".

Another of the group's members, who wanted to be referred to as "Kelly", communicates with the would-be predators online.

In a statement, West Yorkshire Police told Calendar the public should report concerns about alleged child sexual exploitation to police.

The force said such activities could potentially interfere with police investigations, pose a risk to children and provide evidence which could be excluded from court prosecutions.