Australian 'vigilantes' plan coastal patrols

A group calling itself Frontline Australia has been advertising for people with military experience in Australia to mount marine patrols against smugglers bringing in illegal immigrants.

The group placed its advert in a newspaper in Perth, saying it wanted to mount patrols along the country's northern coast.

Attempts by newspapers to contact the group have failed and police declined to comment on whether they thought the group is genuine.

Thousands of illegal immigrants are smuggled into Australia each year.

The authorities have been strongly criticised by human rights groups for holding migrants in detention camps while their appeals for asylum are considered.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service