A STING by paedophile hunters has seen a man arrested - with the group claiming he was talking to seven fake profiles of children.

A live-stream circulated by Secret Whispers UK on Facebook on Wednesday morning saw them confront the man in a car park in Dovercliff Road, Canvey, before police arrived and made the arrest.

Essex Police confirmed a man from Leigh has been arrested after reports of sexual grooming.

After being approached, he allegedly attempted to flee the scene and police received reports of dangerous driving and assault.

One of the hunters claimed he was hit by the car as the man raced away from the scene.

The 49-year-old has been bailed until March 20.

On the live stream, it was claimed the man was speaking to at least seven "decoy profiles" where members of the paedophile hunter group had created fake profiles of underage children.

At the start of the live stream, the man can be seen phoning his boss at a business on Canvey.

He said: "I have done the worst thing ever.

"You're going to hate me, everyone is going to hate me. I won't be ever coming to work again, I will be put in prison, I am finished, my life is over."

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "A man from Leigh has been arrested following reports of dangerous driving, assault and sexual grooming.

"We were called shortly after 7.20am this morning, February 27, to reports that a man had been involved in a collision with a car on Hawkesbury Road.

"The victim, a pedestrian, suffered injuries that are not believed to be serious and declined medical attention.

"A 49-year-old man was arrested on Dovercliff Road just at 8.45am.

"He has been released on bail until March 20."