Connor Bevins from Palmy Creep Catchers is on a crusade to catch people trying to meet up with underage kids in Palmerston North.

A self-styled "creep catcher" working to "out" adults he believes have made contact with minors online has been arrested.

Connor Bevins earlier spoke about how he pretends to be a minor online, lures people to public places by exchanging messages before recording the interaction on camera.

The Palmerston North-based man then allegedly posts those interactions on social media pages.

Pixabay A Palmerston North-based man has earlier spoken of pretending to be a minor online to lure potential paedophiles.

He recently relocated to Taupō, where he started a Facebook page under a new title.

Police confirmed that a 20-year-old man had been arrested and charged with causing harm by posting digital communications. Police had also seized electronic devices.

Taupō Senior Sergeant Phil Edwards said the man was also facing a charge relating to intimidation.

The charges related to activity in both Palmerston North and Taupō. He would appear in the Palmerston North District Court next week.

Bevins earlier spoke about how he was inspired by English group Surrey Creep Catchers.

He and other catchers use dating websites or apps to talk to people, before revealing they are "minors".

They then arrange to meet the other person in a public place, confronting them about allegedly wanting to meet with a minor for sexual activity.

After starting a group in Palmerston North, Bevins moved to Taupō, where he and others had been operating the sting, he said.

Since setting up the operation, Bevins said he'd been inundated with explicit photos on one fake profile he set up.

"It's so easy with the internet these days to lure underage people ... and parents don't realise how easy it is.

"What if I didn't meet up with these guys and it was an actual underage kid, whose innocence could have been taken? That's what scares me."

Any evidence he collected was handed to police.

"What we're doing is putting all of our information, videos, chat logs on to an encrypted file on to the computer, and then onto a USB to give to police.

"With the evidence that we have got people are coming forward."

Police confirmed earlier they were aware of Bevins' activities.

While they would not comment specifically on the case, Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Harrison said that police discouraged people taking matters into their own hands.

"They could place themselves and members of the public at risk," Harrison said.

"Vigilante action such as this could harm current and future police investigations targeting online offenders – police would hate to see actions such as these hinder or prevent a prosecution against an online offender.

"Police encourage anyone who has concerns about potential offending to contact us immediately. All complaints will be taken seriously and followed up as appropriate."

Police would like to hear from anyone who had dealings with the man in recent months.