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A number of 'paedophile hunters' have been arrested ahead of a Belfast parade in support of their work.

Police confirmed the arrests of three people on suspicion of offences including false imprisonment and intimidation.

But the parade's organiser told Belfast Live it will go ahead as planned.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "Police have arrested a 24-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man in the Ballymena area today, Friday 9 March, on suspicion of a number of offences including false imprisonment, intimidation and attempted intimidation.

"A 51-year-old man was also arrested in the Newtownabbey area earlier today on suspicion of a number of offences including false imprisonment, intimidation and attempted intimidation. All three remain in custody, assisting police with their enquiries."

The protest on the 'persecution of paedophile hunters' is to march from City Hall to the BBC at 2pm tommorow. It was organised following court appearances of a number of self-styled 'paedophile hunters', but is not listed on the Parades Commission website.

George Keenan, 34, Richard Curtis, 32, and 28-year-old Tim Heron were accused of unlawful imprisonment and assault over alleged activities in the Belfast and Co Down areas since September last year.

All three men were arrested following an alleged altercation involving BBC investigative reporter Kevin Magee at a coffee shop on Botanic, Belfast on February 6.

A self termed 'paedophile hunter' posted a number of videos on Facebook today alerting others of the arrests.

He said: "******* from Team NI has been arrested. Two other members from our group (NI Online Predators) have been arrested. That's all been confirmed.

"I had a phone call because they couldn't find me and now I have to go and hand myself in temporarily - which doesn't bother me, I'll go and do it.

"Hopefully I'll be bailed tonight or bailed tomorrow," he added.

The parade's organiser said it will go ahead tomorrow regardless.

He told Belfast Live there are hunter crews flying in from across Great Britain to support them.

"I think there will be between 500 and 2000 people there depending on the weather," he said.

When asked why he didn't notify the Parades Commission, he added: "It's a peaceful get together. We won't be on the road.

"It's not a march and it's not a protest."