Community leaders have raised serious concerns after paedophile hunters snared a man accused of talking to a teenage girl sexually online.

Hunters “Broken Dreams” stopped the man in Great Ranton in Pitsea on Tuesday, at roughly 4.10pm, before police arrived and made an arrest.

A video shared on Facebook by the group of paedophile hunters showed them approach the man and begin to question him before he attempted to flee the scene.

As the group approach the man appeared to panic and refused to co-operate while the members of the group reassured him he will not be harmed.

Essex Police have confirmed a man was arrested.

Pat Reid, Labour councillor for Pitsea North West said: “These sort of incidents are always concerning and shocking and obviously the concern is for the person being abused.

“This is not the sort of thing we want going on anywhere and anything we can do to stop people doing this is a good thing.

“Obviously everyone wants to feel safe walking about and want our children to feel the same when going to school or meeting friends.

“We all want to know our children are safe without people praying on them. I think this incident will cause concern with parents and carers.

“People think it isn’t going to happen to them and will become more protective of their family and children.

“I am definitely pleased to see police took swift action in this case and I think they do when it comes to these sort of things.”

Ms Reid, as well as Kerry Smith, Independent deputy leader of Basildon Council raised concerns over vigilante groups taking the law into their own hands - but acknowledged the positive outcome.

Mr Smith said: “It’s a concern that people have to take the law into their own hands.

“I think the technology and internet firms should be working to make the web safer.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “A man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual communications with a child.

“The man was arrested in Pitsea at around 4.10pm yesterday following a report from a third party. The man is currently in custody.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101.