(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By rdnewsNOW staff

leave it to police

Red Deer RCMP warns public of dangers of child exploitation vigilantism

Aug 28, 2025 | 7:46 PM

Red Deer RCMP are reminding the public that investigating child exploitation should be left to the police.

This comes after the RCMP have seen an emerging trend where members of the public attempt to confront alleged child predators on their own and film them, similar to television-style sting operations.

Police say while these actions may be well-intentioned, it is extremely dangerous and that arranging these meetings puts individuals in potential harm. It also can compromise police investigations.

For example, the RCMP highlighted an incident in Airdrie where a 12-year-old was abducted after arranging a similar meetup. The youth was found safe, but the situation highlights the dangers of this type of activity.

“If you suspect someone is attempting to lure or exploit children online, the safest and most effective step is to contact police immediately and allow trained investigators to handle these situations,” the Red Deer RCMP wrote in a media release.

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“Parents are also encouraged to have open conversations with their children regarding online safety and to remind them to never meet strangers in person.”