Vigilantes
Why do some people take the law into their own hands? Mike Williams explores whether mob justice ever solves the problem when security and legal systems are seen to be failing.
What drives some people to take the law into their own hands? Mike Williams hears stories from Europe, Africa and the US. Stories about the men – and it is usually men – who take it upon themselves to patrol the streets or seek out paedophiles online. And, he explores what happens when vigilante groups mutate into monsters. Whether motivated by revenge, frustration or a desire to do good, does mob justice ever work?
With contributions from Scott and Callum, co-founders, Dark Justice; Laurie James, forensic criminologist, based in Botswana; Curtis Sliwa, founder of Guardian Angels; Kate Meagher, associate professor, Department of International Development, London School of Economics; Jim Gamble, former chief executive, Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre; Abubakar Bukar Kagu, solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
Photo: Close up of Guardian Angels' jacket with other men sitting in background, Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images
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Is mob justice the answer or the problem?
Duration: 01:58
Broadcasts
- Fri 30 Dec 201619:32GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Fri 30 Dec 201620:32GMTBBC World Service UK DAB/Freeview, Online, Europe and the Middle East, Australasia & Americas and the Caribbean only
- Fri 30 Dec 201621:32GMTBBC World Service South Asia & East Asia only
- New Year's Day 201711:32GMTBBC World Service except News Internet
- Mon 2 Jan 201702:32GMTBBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean
- Mon 2 Jan 201703:32GMTBBC World Service UK DAB/Freeview, Europe and the Middle East & Online only
- Mon 2 Jan 201704:32GMTBBC World Service East Asia & South Asia only
- Mon 2 Jan 201705:32GMTBBC World Service Australasia
- Mon 2 Jan 201707:32GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & Europe and the Middle East only
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