'superheroes' step in to help protect prostitutes from the Craigslist killer

Self-styled superheroes have offered their help in fighting the serial killer thought to be behind the murders of over a dozen prostitutes in New York City.

The New York Initiative (NYI) - a group of vigilantes who model themselves on comic book superheroes - have posted an advert on classified ads website Craigslist offering 'rescue teams' for hookers whose clients' turn violent.

NYI, who identify themselves as a group of 'martial arts trainers, security specialists, emergency first responders, drug counsellors, former military police and former law enforcement', are also offering free martial arts and weapons training to the women.

The murderer stalking New York - dubbed the Craiglist Killer because he targets women selling sex through Craigslist - is thought to be behind the deaths up to 13 prostitutes.

Most of the bodies so far found had been dumped in scrub land on the southern coast of Long Island, New York. All had been strangled and stuffed in burlap sacks.

According to their advert, NYI have offered their help to prostitutes because 'apparently the law doesn't respect your personal choices and that means cops are slower to follow through when it comes to you.'

The group is offering 'a number to call and a few one-number or one-word codes you can say or text to us so that we can contact someone to assist you with a possibly violent date.'

They add: 'We will react quickly and without hesitation every time, using our considerable contacts to the full extent of their reach.' And they promise not to involve the police unless there is a risk of 'serious danger'.

The New York Initiative patrol the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan by night, attempting to deter crime.

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