A MOB of vigilantes threatened to torch a Fareham bail hostel after a BBC documentary revealed its location.

Police were called to Dixon House in Trinity Street to disperse an angry group of around 20 men and women.

They gathered after flyers were distributed in the area asking people to protest following a BBC 1 programme called The Protectors on Wednesday night which claimed that sex offenders and paedophiles stayed there.

Officers were concerned that fighting might erupt between the mob and people staying at the hostel after the unruly crowd refused to disperse.

The vigilantes, who are believed to have been drinking in a local pub beforehand, left after officers had been on the scene for about five minutes.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident which happened at about 8pm on Saturday night.

PC Phil Wheeler of Fareham police appealed for anyone with information about who was involved in the disturbance to come forward.

He said: "We were concerned that there might have been a conflict between those inside and the people outside. It was a problem but we got the situation under control.

"I am looking into the incident and criminal charges may follow."

The Protectors is a hard-hitting new series focusing on how the authorities deal with dangerous sex offenders once they are released from prison.

A spokesman for the BBC was unavailable for comment.