Arrest linked to secretly filming women for videos shared on TikTok

A man has been arrested after women were filmed going out without their knowledge and the videos were shared on social media.

A BBC North West investigation It turned out that such films received millions of views and attracted misogynistic comments, leading to a police investigation.

The videos on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, often titled Manchester Nightlife or Liverpool Nightlife, were uploaded daily.

A 27-year-old man was previously arrested in Bradford on suspicion of stalking and harassment and is being questioned in police custody.

Greater Manchester Police said many women affected by such videos had come forward following a public appeal.

One of the women filmed told the BBC she was filmed walking along Deansgate in Manchester.

The 23-year-old said she only realized she had been filmed when she was sent a link to one of the videos.

“I really can’t think of any other words other than I just felt a little nauseous,” she said.

Police said: “We have arrested a 27-year-old man from Bradford on suspicion of stalking and harassment, in connection with several reports of women being followed, filmed and harassed in Manchester city center.”

“This arrest is believed to be the first in the country to be linked to several viral videos on social media platforms in which women appear to have been filmed going out, some in vulnerable positions.”

GMP said officers found other content “blocked under paywalled accounts” during the course of the investigation, including footage of suspected non-consensual nudity and upskirting.

Ch inspector Stephen Wiggins said: “Filming in public is legal. However, when this filming crosses the line into crimes such as upskirting, stalking or harassment, it is important that we do not allow this behavior to occur.”

He added: “Everyone has the right to feel safe when enjoying a night out and these videos have made people, particularly women, feel less than that, which we cannot tolerate.”