Just as the operator of Facebook's Launceston Criminals Exposed was claiming to have no connection to the former site of the same name, "the original page and the best" reappeared after a short suspension.

Launceston criminals exposed (different capitalisation) yesterday said the self-imposed ban was to obtain legal advice on whether the page was breaking any laws. 

"Good News is that we are not and will be back to shame some more undesirables very shortly!***" the post said. 

The page has been slammed by the Australian Lawyers Alliance for inciting a "crude vigilantism" and breaching the privacy of former offenders. 

It's also been heavily criticised for being defamatory and potentially prejudicial and accused of identifying youth offenders. 

However one of the three anonymous administrators said the site, which quickly clocked thousands of Facebook 'likes', was about protecting the community.

"By naming paedophiles and fraudsters we can help prevent further people becoming victims as the faces and names are now known," they said. 

Asked about criticism that the site stigmatised people who had already done their time the administrator said:

"Don't re-offend and you have nothing to worry about, we only are naming the repeat offenders that have been given many chances to rehabilitate but don't.

" I am sick of seeing people that continue to offend being released on bail after breaching bail and committing further offences," they said.

It's also personal. Two of the administrators run a shop that is "constantly" getting  shoplifted.

"Also I am close friends with a number of victims of some of the offenders mentioned," they said. 

The administrators say they are anonymous because they are "upsetting a few people" and don't want to be targeted. 

pbillings@examiner.com.au