Self-styled paedophile hunter: Facebook vigilante faces charges

A self-styled vigilante known for accusing people of paedophilia has been arrested by police and says he fears for his life if he returns to Palmerston North to face charges.

Connor Bevins is known for videos posted online on Facebook pages which show these confrontations.

Bevins said he posed as a minor online to arrange meetings before he accused people.

He started trying to expose people because he knew child molesters were out there and he felt not enough was being done to stop them, he said.

"I'm sticking up for my community. I'm sticking up for New Zealand."

It started as an "awareness project".

In one of the videos allegedly posted on his page an unknown person is confronted after being lured to a meeting.

"You're here to meet an underage girl for sex," the person can be heard being told in the video.

"I've got all the chat logs and you've been talking to me the whole time."

Bevins told the Herald he never meant to hurt anyone but also said he did not regret his actions.

"I'm proud of what I have done, no matter what people say," he said.

"I don't think it's right that a rapist or sex offender should get name suppression."

These people are out there in the community, he said.

"It's not right."

He said he had taken down his pages, feeling that he had done what he set out to do.

Bevins said he now faced three charges in relation to the Harmful Digital Communications Act and had been asked by police to leave Taupo and return to Palmerston North today.

He also faced a charge related to intimidation and another to disorderly behaviour, he said.

A Herald source confirmed Bevins further faces two counts of contravening a protection order.

Bevins is due to appear in the Palmerston North District Court next week.

The 20-year-old said threats had been made against him online.

"They are trying to send me back to somewhere I know I will be taken out."

Bevins said he had been accused of the same behaviour that he tries to call out online.

But said he tried not to let that bother him.

"I know it isn't true."

He said police had seized electronic devices from his address.

A police spokesperson said it generally discouraged members of the public from taking matters into their own hands as they could place themselves and members of the public at risk.

"Vigilante action such as this could harm current and future police investigations targeting online offenders.

"Police would hate to see actions such as these hinder or prevent a prosecution against an online offender.

"Police encourage anyone who has concerns about potential offending to contact us immediately.

"All complaints will be taken seriously and followed up as appropriate."