PAEDOPHILE hunters have confronted a man who was allegedly trying to meet up with children.

Essex Police arrested a 42-year-old man on Wednesday evening in Moss Drive, Basildon following an alleged sting by members of the Facebook page Defending the Innocent.

The group filmed the moment they confronted a man and posted it live on a linked Facebook account until police arrived.

Defending the Innocent located a man after claiming they received more than 20 messages on decoy accounts, where members pretend to be children.

The group claim a man agreed to meet with a 12-year-old girl well as having online conversations of a sexual nature and attempted to groom people a man thought were children.

Defending the Innocent identify themselves as “paedophile hunters”, who track down suspects and inform police.

A man remains in custody for questioning, following the alleged sting, but has not been charged with an offence.

In September last year, figures obtained by the BBC showed an increase in the number of cases where evidence gathered by paedophile hunters is being used.

Essex Police have consistently dissuaded such groups from operating in this way and instead urge people to contact the police if they have information.

An Essex Police spokesman previously said: “We strongly deter anyone from vigilante behaviour at any level.

“They could be acting upon inaccurate information and putting innocent people at serious risk.

“Anyone who has a genuine concern about potential criminal activity should always contact us so that we can investigate and not take the law into their own hands.”

The NSPCC has also spoken out against self-styled vigilantes tracking down suspected sex offenders and says this must be done by the proper authorities.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We have arrested a 42-year-old man on suspicion of sexual grooming following a disturbance at an address in Moss Drive, Basildon on Wednesday, April 25.

“The man remains in custody for questioning.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101. Or alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.