Waikato Mongrel Mob leader Sonny Fatupaito tells kidnappers to hand themselves into police before his gang finds them.

When the Waikato Mongrel Mob boss went public with a message to the men involved in an attempted abduction in Hamilton, he probably thought he was being helpful.

Sonny Fatupaito​ urged those involved in an attempt to snatch a 12-year-old girl to turn themselves in.

At first glance, no-one really batted an eyelid because efforts to catch attempted kidnappers are welcome.

MARION VAN DIJK/FAIRFAX NZ Police have said people should not take the law into their hands.

But, was such a public call to action really necessary?

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* Mob boss: 'We're hunting you'

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/FAIRFAX NZ Waikato Mongrel Mob leader, Sonny Fatupaito, called on ''networks'' to help hunt down three people who were involved in the attempted abduction of a school girl in Hamilton.

By calling for "networks" to be vigilant it was possible the men who tried to snatch the schoolgirl would know the Mob is watching.

Is that helpful?

NETWORKS



Police released descriptions of the alleged attackers but haven't said much about the Mob's comments. In a statement, police said people should not take the matter in their own hands.

Canterbury University professor of sociology and criminology Greg Newbold​ - the only academic who responded to Stuff queries about the case - said law enforcement was clearly not the business of the Mongrel Mob.

Fatupaito was probably well-intentioned and his call to the "networks" wasn't illegal, but the Mob did not represent the law, he said.

"They are not in the business of law enforcement.

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/FAIRFAX NZ Waikato Mongrel Mob leader, Sonny Fatupaito.

"They've no business trying to solve crimes, which is the business of the police. The police are trained to do that.

"It reminds me of the 1960s when the Hell's Angels offered themselves as mercenary soldiers in Vietnam. It was a serious offer. This is a similar type of thing.

"If they break the law in the course of what they're doing they need to be prosecuted."

Newbold said the Mongrel Mob did not have nationally coordinated chapters and did not follow a national charter. The Hell's Angels and Head Hunters used national charters and previous attempts by the Mob to organise nationally had failed.

"They [the Mongrel Mob] have no national coordination. They have mates in different parts of the world but they are not coordinated in any sense of the word. I don't really think those people who committed that offence are under threat of being uncovered by the Mongrel Mob.

"The Mongrel Mob takes the law into its hands. They're not particular role models. This is just one guy. He is not speaking on behalf of the Mongrel Mob chapters of New Zealand.

"The Mob is not particularly well-disciplined in any case. It's not the case that the Mongrel Mob is a unified or coordinated group...it's a very disparate organisation. Mob chapters are fiercely independent and difficult to corral."

VIGILANTE JUSTICE

People were entitled to embark on public campaigns and often did so in cases of wrongful imprisonment or questionable conviction, Newbold said. It was different if people took the law into their hands.

"Judge, jury, and executioner is a different matter. That's when you step over the line and if you break the law you face the same consequences of any law breaker.

"Vigilante justice is not well established in this country and hopefully never will be," Newbold said.

The Waikato Mob and others around the country are believed to be now looking for a car described as a silver mid-90s Nissan Pulsar four-door sedan.

Earlier this week, Fatupaito would not elaborate on the identity of the networks, other than saying they were looking for the car and its occupants and any information would be handed to police.

"We wouldn't want to take care of any of that side of stuff. We will let the law take its course.

"Makes you wonder what goes on in people's heads like this. To go out there and try and snatch a child off the street? All I would like to say is, it is better for you to go and hand yourselves in, or people might take the law into their own hands and take care of it.

"Our networks are all over the motu - all over the country. You know, they can even extend as far as Australia, as well. I've touched base with the main people I need to touch base with."

He also said the gang was a "second line of defence".

DEFENCE

Newbold said it was not clear what the Mob leader meant by the "second line of defence."

"I would like to know what mandate he has when it comes to the second line of defence.

"He is a parent. I think that's the perspective he is coming from.

"I think it's well-intentioned and would like to see these people brought to justice. He has his heart in the right place. I don't think his suggestions are feasible."

In a statement, police said they understood residents' concerns regarding the attempted abduction.

"Police are also concerned, which is why we are continuing to investigate the incident with a strong focus on finding those responsible. This is why we urge any members of the public to assist us by passing on any relevant information they may have so that it can be properly investigated, and not take matters into their own hands."

The schoolgirl was understandably shaken and upset and she was being supported.

Waikato police, on the day after the incident, called for people to report any sightings of the vehicle after a man accosted the 12-year-old on Abbottsford St near the school grounds.

The man who stopped the girl as she walked to school is described as short, Maori, aged 30 to 40, wearing a black beanie, white singlet and dark, baggy pants.

He was not wearing shoes and his red and black stripey socks were pulled up over his pants.

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