Preston man arrested after being ensnared by 'paedophile hunters' in pub car park

A man from Preston has been arrested after he was ensnared by 'paedophile hunters' in a pub car park on Sunday (November 29).
By Matthew Calderbank
Published 30th Nov 2020, 09:27 BST
Updated 30th Nov 2020, 10:15 BST
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The 47-yea-old has been arrested on suspicion of sexual offences, say police, following the 'sting' in the Hesketh Arms car park in New Hall Lane at around 11.40am yesterday.

Members of an "online predator hunting group" had travelled to Preston to confront the man after he allegedly communicated with a 'decoy' posing as a child online.

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The arrest was live-streamed on Facebook and attracted a crowd of onlookers to the pub car park, who watched as he was escorted into the back of a police van.

The 47-yea-old has been arrested on suspicion of sexual offences, say police, following the 'sting' in the Hesketh Arms car park in New Hall Lane, Preston at around 11.40am yesterday (Sunday, November 29)The 47-yea-old has been arrested on suspicion of sexual offences, say police, following the 'sting' in the Hesketh Arms car park in New Hall Lane, Preston at around 11.40am yesterday (Sunday, November 29)
The 47-yea-old has been arrested on suspicion of sexual offences, say police, following the 'sting' in the Hesketh Arms car park in New Hall Lane, Preston at around 11.40am yesterday (Sunday, November 29)

A police spokesman said: "A 47-year-old man from Preston was arrested on Sunday, November 29, on suspicion of sexual offences.

"He has since been bailed until December 21, pending further enquiries."

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