Is a zero-tolerance approach really the best way to stop paedophiles from abusing children?

A new security branch has been created to find paedophiles lurking on the “dark web”. Yet this zero-tolerance attitude is beginning to be called into question – for people who have never acted on their desires and want help, should we be locking them up at all?

By Hussein Kesvani

(Photo By Finding them online is one thing, but how does one â?orehabilitateâ?? a paedophile? Photo: Getty)

“I’ve never wanted to hurt anyone. . . But I’m scared I might.”

Tom*, from Bristol, is an engineer in his late twenties. According to his online profile, he’s an introvert, likes Tarantino films and heavy metal music. He describes himself as a “console junkie”, with a particular affinity to his N64.