A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of sexual communication with a child after paedophile hunters carried out a sting in south Essex.

“Child protection group” London Overwatch, confronted the man on Kimberley Road, Little Wakering, on Tuesday before he was arrested on the scene by Essex Police.

The group claimed the man had been having sexual communication with what he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, however, he was speaking to a member of the group posing as a child.

Essex Police have confirmed that the man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual communication with a child and had now been released on bail until January 16.

During the sting, the group quizzed the man on his behaviour, claiming the communication had gone on for around five months.

They further claimed that he reached out first, upon which the girl gave her age to him and where she was from – and that he arranged to try and meet her around six times for implied sexual activity.

The video ends with the man being lead away by the group alongside police.

Martin Terry, Southend independent councillor responsible for public safety, praised the snare and police taking for taking action.

He said: “Anything that reduces this type of behaviour is welcome in out communities and Essex Police have clearly made an arrest.

“I am pleased to see another alleged perpetrator of sexual harm has been arrested by them.”

The video the sting posted on the London Overwatch Facebook page has amassed more than 96,000 views and 1400 likes.

A police spokesman said: “A man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual communication with a child.

“The arrest was made in Little Wakering following information from a third party.

“He has been released on bail until 16 January.”

The London Overwatch group conducted a similar sting in April of a Southend man accused of grooming a child and carries out dozens of stings across the country.