THE moment a suspect was led away in handcuffs by a police officer following a sting by a group of self-styled 'paedophile hunters' was caught on camera and broadcast to thousands of viewers across social media.

Members of Keeping Kids Safe live streamed the confrontation in Orford on Saturday on the group's Facebook page with the first recording watched by more than 113,000 online users.

Three clips have been posted on the self-funded vigilante group's Facebook page where the suspect is accused of targeting an underage girl online after a decoy profile was created by the team.

The footage also includes the moment the suspect was taken into custody by a police officer.

Police have since confirmed that a 53-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity. 

He was questioned by police but he has been released on conditional bail while investigations continue.

The founder of Keeping Kids Safe told the Warrington Guardian that he set up the vigilante group in April.

All evidence regarding the case has now been handed over to detectives at Cheshire Police.