Two men have been arrested following a disorder during a ‘paedophile hunter sting’.
Police were called to reports of a disorder in the Penhill area of Swindon at around 4.50pm on Wednesday evening, where a group had confronted a suspected paedophile.
The suspect attempted to get away from the group Justice4Children and ended being restrained on the floor outside a convenience store on Alton Close. One of the group’s members could be seen with his arms around the neck of the suspect, in a video that was posted online.
At the scene, a 37-year-old man from Calne was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm. He has since been released under investigation.
A 44-year-old Swindon man was arrested on suspicion of grooming and remains in custody.
Detective Inspector Paul Hacker said: “We would always urge members of the public to speak directly to police if they have any information about a crime, rather than posting on social media.
“If anyone has any information relating to this case then we would ask them to contact Swindon CID on 101. Alternatively information can be left anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”
NOTE TO READERS: We strongly encourage our readers not to name the suspect in this case, or release his address, publicly – doing so could severely affect the prosecution.
