A state governor in Venezuela has instructed his police force not to intervene to stop criminals being killed by vigilante groups .

The governor of the central state of Lara, Orlando Fernandez, said it was ridiculous to use the police for the protection of criminals when the crime rate in the country was alarming.

His remarks follow the killing of a suspected murderer by an angry mob in another state on Monday.

Legal experts and human rights groups have condemned his remarks.

One human rights organisation, Provea, said that by endorsing vigilante justice the governor had become a partner in crime.