A DIVING coach working with youngsters in Southend has been suspended after he was arrested by police.

The 28-year-old man, a coach at Southend Diving Club, was arrested on suspicion of abusing a position of trust.

The man was arrested at the club, based at Garon Park pool, off Royal Artillery Way, on July 30, with police investigating whether he incited a child to engage in sexual activity.

Legacy Leisure, which runs the Garon Park site on behalf of Southend Council, employed the staff member and removed him from his position immediately once the allegation came to light.

Corporate director at the council, Andrew Lewis, said: “Legacy Leisure undertake the operational management of the council’s leisure centres, and carry out rigorous checks on all of their potential employees before they commence work.

“The highest standards of behaviour are expected from all of their staff and any failure to meet these standards are taken extremely seriously.

“We can confirm an employee from Legacy Leisure is currently the subject of a police investigation and has been suspended from duty while the investigation takes place.”

The Echo understands the coach was part-time and coached at a number of other clubs, as well as Southend.

The police confirmed the incident is alleged to have taken place at a club in Hemel Hempstead.

Southend Diving Club, which is registered with governing body, ASA, has ensured the coach is not working at the club while police continue to investigate.

The arrest relates to alleged conduct between November 2013 and May 2014.

A spokesman for Hertfordshire Police said: “Police have arrested a 28- year-old man from Hemel Hempstead on suspicion of abuse of a position of trust.

“The man was arrested in Southend on July 30.

“He has been released on police bail with strict conditions and is due to return to a police station in October.”