A statement has been issued to parents of pupils at a Blackpool school following the arrest of a man on suspicion of sexual grooming.
In footage circulating on social media, an individual can be seen being challenged by members of a self-proclaimed 'child protection service' on the Promenade on Tuesday . In a 30-minute live Facebook stream, the video shows him being apprehended at the Velvet Coaster Wetherspoons. He then refuses to answer questions from the Midlands-based group after being accused of grooming a boy online. Following the live stream, Unity Academy in Blackpool issued a statement confirming a 'member of the non-teaching team' has been suspended.In a message to parents and guardians and seen by LancsLive, headteacher Stephen Cooke said: "We are aware of a video that is circulating on social media this morning which features a member of the non-teaching team at the academy.
"The academy takes advice and direction from the relevant authorities in situations such as this and the member of staff will not return to school whilst these processes take place. To reassure parents, I can also confirm that all necessary pre-employment checks in line with safeguarding legislation were completed at the point of employment with no concerns raised and that no concerns have been subsequently raised to the academy.