News / Avon and Somerset Constabulary
Bristol man arrested in sting carried out by ‘paedophile hunter’
A Bristol man was arrested by police near Bath railway station after a sting operation was carried out by an anonymous, self-styled paedophile hunter.
The 25-year-old, who allegedly works for the NHS, was taken into custody by officers in Dorchester Road at around 10am on Sunday on suspicion of grooming offences. He has since been released under investigation.
A trap was set by the Somerset-based paedophile hunter, who operates under the alias of Danny Catcher, and posed as a 14-year-old girl online in order to catch the suspect red handed.
The suspected paedophile in Bath. Photo by Danny Catcher
“I confronted a man on Dorchester Street in Bath city centre,” says Catcher.
“He was there to meet someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl who he had been talking to online.
“The 25-year-old man from Bristol was detained by myself under citizen’s arrest – without any use of physical force – due to breaking Section 15 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.”
A police spokesman confirmed officers arrived on the scene soon after and arrested the man, who has now been released under investigation.
Catcher says the NHS has been informed for safeguarding reasons, but he is unable to comment further while investigations are ongoing.
This is the latest in a string of local sting operations carried out by the man, who describes himself as an undercover journalist working as a non-vigilante paedophile hunter. He says he is driven by a passion for taking predators off the streets, but remains anonymous for his own safety.
If anyone has concerns about online grooming, they should report them to police online or by dialling 101.
If you think a child is at immediate risk of harm, call 999.
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