PARENTS who suspected notorious paedophile Graham Seddon had moved into their district are demanding action to protect their children.

Police criticised residents for "jumping to the wrong conclusion" after they formed an angry mob outside the council-owned house in Longshaw Street, Dallam.

They believed a man, who had recently moved in with his girlfriend, was a known paedophile.

As their fury grew, officers were called to help the couple flee from the house.

As the GUARDIAN went to press, the man - who is believed to have a criminal record - and his girlfriend are still in hiding and unlikely to return to Dallam.

But, the hundreds who signed a petition in protest are still demanding to know the truth about their neighbour.

Father-of-three Kenny Hardman said: "We still haven't been told anything about these people and it was being left in the dark that made things worse.

"There are lots of children living round here and parents were concerned. The story went around by word of mouth and caused a lot of upset.

"But we still want to know the truth about the people who moved in - the community deserves an explanation."

Wife Marilyn added: "It could be this man was just trying to make a fresh start but nobody will tell us. If a paedophile is going to move here, we should have the right to know."

A police spokesman said: "The incident was a good example of what can happen when people jump to conclusions prior to having all the facts.

"They believed him to be a man recently released from prison. But the couple have no connection with the man those assembled were seeking."

The vacant Longshaw Street house has now been boarded up and Warrington Borough Council is helping to re-house the couple out-of-town.

Housing director Tom Roberts, of Warrington Borough Council, said: "It was a regrettable incident for the people involved and they are confused about what has gone on. In many senses, people took the law into their own hands."

Mr Roberts added that if a paedophile were to become a tenant, it is not the council's responsibility to inform neighbours.

"It is a very difficult area," he said. "You have to think of the rights of the individual.

"Local authorities are looking for guidance on what to do in particular circumstances, but that guidance must come from the Government."

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