Northern Ireland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, Koulla Yiasouma, has become the latest to criticise a vigilante group that purports to confront child sex abusers.

Mrs Yiasouma told The Irish News that she is “strongly opposed to groups who take it upon themselves in a bid to deliver justice”.

Silent Justice, an English group that recently expanded to Northern Ireland, made headlines after livestreaming confrontations with two alleged child sex abusers, one of whom later took his own life.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) urged the group to discontinue its efforts, warning that its methods could jeopardise prosecutions in the Northern Ireland courts and endanger lives.

Seven people are being investigated based on the group’s information.

Mrs Yiasouma said: “Our police service is set up to deal with such cases from a criminal justice and evidence gathering perspective, whilst immediately putting measures in place to identify, protect and support vulnerable children and their families.

“If anyone has any concerns about any individual, I would urge them to contact the PSNI or Social Services, so that any child at risk is immediately safeguarded.”