Burton is suffering with an 'epidemic' of paedophiles roaming free, a vigilante group has claimed as it has chosen the town to launch a charity day.
However, Staffordshire Police say Burton is just like any other town in Staffordshire, and is not an exception to the rule, with no more of a problem than anywhere else.
Keeping Kids Safe, a vigilante group which catches and films paedophile groomers, is hoping to raise £2,000 for a child abuse charity through a fund-raising day and sponsored leg wax in Burton, even though the group hails from Mansfield.
Patrick Fripps, one of the group's volunteers, decided to hold the fund-raiser in Burton because of the number of times he has knocked on the doors of paedophiles in the town.
Keeping Kids Safe was only set up in April, this year, and already has more than 60,000 followers on Facebook
The groups has seen Martin Rhodes jailed for four years. The 45-year-old, from Wyggeston Street, Burton, was broadcast onto Facebook Live by Keeping Kids Safe.
Rhodes believed he had been sending sexually explicit text messages to an 11-year-old girl but it turned out to be a decoy from the voluntary organisation.
Rhodes recently admitted causing a child to watch a sexual act, grooming, attempting to cause or incite a female under 13 to engage in a sexual act and possession of cannabis.
Keeping Kids Safe also ensured the arrest of Kevin Collins, of Empire Road, Winshill, who later admitted three counts of sexual communication with underage girls. The 44-year-old is due to be sentenced on September 18.
Another man who is due to be sentenced on the same day is George Ingledew, 59, of Princess Street, Burton.
Ingledew admitted a charge of attempting to cause a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity in April this year. He also pleaded guilty to three offences of attempting to engage in sexual communications with underage girls on the internet on dates in April and July this year.
The group have been part of two other arrests made in Burton which are still to go to court.
Mr Fripps said the fund-raiser will raise as much money as possible for charity Rock Against Child Pornography and Abuse UK which helps victims of abuse, physically and mentally as well as children who have been sexually exploited and bullied.
He said: "It started with a sponsored leg wax which I will be doing because mine are the legs you can see in the Facebook Live broadcasts.
"We wanted to raise about £1,500 but we smashed £2,000 so we have decided to hold a charity fun day where the leg wax will take place."
Asked why, if the group is based in Mansfield, they have chosen to hold the fun day in Burton, Mr Fripps said: "We are just finding we are coming to Burton a lot. There seems to be an epidemic in Burton.
"We have about four or five decoys in Burton now and three hunters."
However, Staffordshire Police says that Burton does not have a particular problem and reminded people not to take matters into their own hands.
A spokesman said: "Arrests resulting from information received by so-called paedophile hunters have taken place in a number of locations across Staffordshire recently, and Burton is no exception.
"We would encourage anyone who has information about suspected child abuse to tell the police so the appropriate action can be taken. People are reminded not to take matters into their own hands or do anything that could hinder or jeopardise such investigations.
"Acts of retaliation will also not be tolerated and we will take swift and appropriate action to deal with any offenders accordingly.
"If you are concerned about online grooming, please report it to us on 101, to CEOP at www.ceop.police.uk, or to Crimestoppers. If you think a child is at immediate risk of harm call 999."
The charity fun day will take place from 3pm to 8pm on Saturday October 14, at The Old Cottage Tavern, in Byrkley Street, Burton.
As well as the live leg wax, other attractions will include glitter tattoos, face painting, soak a hunter or decoy in the stocks and a raffle.
Anyone who would like to donate to the cause can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/patrick-fripps or by texting KKSO99, with the amount to donate to 70070.
