A MAN has been arrested after an online video posted by a vigilante justice group “outed” him as an alleged paedophile.
The sting at a Tesco store was captured on Facebook and broadcast live to thousands of viewers on Saturday morning.
A team of so-called “paedophile trackers” who call themselves Wolf Pack Hunters UK filmed the extensive video clip.
The group’s members pose as young girls on social media and then confront men they claim have arranged to meet them for sex.
Information is then passed to the police.
Wolf Pack Hunters UK allege the man, from Barrhead, was planning to meet an underage girl and had brought her a cuddly toy as a gift.
In the footage, they inform him he had actually been communicating with their adult “decoys” for months, allegedly sending them inappropriate messages and indecent pictures.
Challenged over whether they had any legal power, the leader of the group is heard to say: “We’re publicly appointed.
“Members of the public appointed us because the police and the justice system are failing our kids.”
Police have confirmed officers were called to the Tesco store in Gavin’s Mill Road, Milngavie, at around 10.20am on Saturday and that a 47-year-old man was later taken into custody. He has since been charged in connection with alleged indecent online communications.
A police spokesperson told the Evening Times sister title the Barrhead News: “If you think someone may be abusing children, please contact the police rather than taking the law into your own hands.
“Police Scotland is fully committed to the investigation of child abuse using all of its resources, nationally and locally, to protect Scotland’s children.
“If you are concerned that children may be at risk or suspect someone may be abusing children then please call 999 if you think there is immediate threat, or 101."
The spokesperson also recommended the public use the Sec Offender Disclosure scheme, accessible through the Police Scotland website.
“The Sex Offender Community Disclosure scheme is another way members of the public can raise concerns about an individual in a child’s life and application can ultimately lead to a disclosure to the parent or carer.
“Application to this scheme is through the Police Scotland website, where details are available of how to apply online.”
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