St Helens man arrested over alleged child sex offence

Police arrested a 66-year-old over a suspected child sex offence <i>(Image: Stock)</i>
Police arrested a 66-year-old over a suspected child sex offence (Image: Stock)
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A 66-YEAR-OLD man from St Helens has been arrested on suspicion of a child sex offence after police boxed in the car he was driving on the East Lancashire Road.

Merseyside Police said officers were investigating information that a man had allegedly uploaded an indecent image of a child online.

The force's Online Child Abuse Investigation Team launched an investigation after receiving the information on August 17.

Following enquiries, officers identified a car believed to belong to the man suspected of uploading the image.

Tyre spikes were deployed by Merseyside Police's Roads Policing Unit on the vehicle at around 10.15am on Wednesday, September 23.

The car was then boxed in by officers and the driver detained.

A 66-year-old man from St Helens was arrested on suspicion of possession of an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child.

He has been conditionally bailed while enquiries continue.

Detective Inspector Ian Tinsley, of Merseyside Police, said: “We will continue to proactively target anyone in our communities suspected of contributing to the cycle of abuse of children by making or possessing indecent images.

“I would encourage anyone with concerns or information to get in contact with us.

“We always act on all the information we receive and take robust action, using all the resources at our disposal, to make sure offenders are arrested and put before the courts.”

Anyone with information about the possession or distribution of indecent images can contact Merseyside Police via its social media desk on X or Facebook at @MerPolCC, or through its website.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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