Police have charged two men after a fight broke out as vigilante "paedophile hunters" confronted a man accused of grooming a child.
The Hunted One, a "paedophile hunting group", set up a sting operation on Easter Sunday in Bluewater car park to catch a man suspected of grooming a child. It quickly escalated as on-lookers began to join in.
The group live-streamed the 'sting' operation on Facebook before a man appeared to bound onto a wall and kick the accused. Security then rushed in to separate those involved.
MORE: Police warn against vigilantism following 'paedophile hunter' sting at Bluewater
Lee John Harvey, 20, of The Drive, Gravesend, and Joe Simpkin, 20, of Wheatstone Road, Erith, were each charged with one count of affray on Wednesday, April 19.
A police spokesman said: "The charges relate to a report of a disturbance which took place during the afternoon of Sunday April 16, in connection with the arrest of a man on suspicion of grooming."
Both men have been released on bail to attend Medway Magistrates’ Court on May 10.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article