The Vancouver police are warning the public not to take matters into their own hands when it comes to dealing with participants in the Stanley Cup riot.

With anger at the rioters spilling out on Facebook and Twitter, police issued today (June 20) the following statement:

In the ensuing high state of emotions following the recent hockey riot, there is a growing danger that the tools of social media will be used to mete out vigilante justice.

The Vancouver Police Department and its integrated investigation team are asking the public to resist the temptation to take justice into their own hands. We ask for your patience and continued shows of responsible good citizenry as the investigation unfolds.

You can follow Stephen Hui on Twitter at twitter.com/stephenhui.