A 49-year-old male employee of The Trafford Centre has been arrested on suspicion of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Vigilante group Child Online Safety Team, which launched a sting operation, claimed the man was a security guard at the centre.

A spokesman for the group said: “The team arrived at the suspect’s place of work on Tuesday 19th February 2019 at 17:33, to discuss the suspect’s online activity with minors.

“The team had evidence that would show the suspect had been engaging in sexual communication with what he believed was a 14 year old girl (decoy).

“The team placed the suspect under section 24a of the police and criminal evidence act of 1984 at 17:34. He was told no harm would come to him and that the police had been called and were on their way.

“Unfortunately, things did not go well after the team tried to move the suspect to a safer location. They were met by the suspect’s colleagues, as this was on work premises, and due to the suspect collapsing, his work colleagues took over and a raucous ensued between the team and the security from the shopping centre.

“Things eventually calmed and the policed arrived at 17:55 and took over. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody for questioning.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester said: “Police were called to The Trafford Centre at around 5.35pm on Tuesday 19 February 2019 to reports of grooming.

“A 49-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and remains in custody for questioning.”

A spokesman for The Trafford Centre said: “The safety and security of everyone that comes into our centre is our primary concern and child protection is something we take extremely seriously.

“Following an incident in the centre on the evening of 19 February, Greater Manchester Police are now leading an investigation into the matter.

“We’re not able to provide any further detail now it is in police hands but, be assured, we are supporting the investigation in every way we can.”