A CONVICTED paedophile wanted by Lancashire Constabulary has been arrested.

Joshua Karney, 30, was arrested in Hove for breaching the terms of his sexual offenders registration requirements and being wanted on recall to prison under the terms of his release on license.

He was arrested by officers from Sussex Police this afternoon (Thursday, January 17) following a tip-off after media appeals to trace him. The appeal to trace Mr Karney came after a new photograph was released by South Yorkshire police following his arrest for being drunk and disorderly in Barnsley, South Yorkshire on 24th November 2007 and released having been given a penalty notice for disorder.

Karney is wanted by Lancashire Constabulary - and seven other forces in the UK - after he was convicted of indecent assault in 2002 for an offence in Barnoldswick. He was sentenced at Burnley Crown Court to 15 months imprisonment but was released on license and instructed to report to Blackburn Probation Hostel. He failed to report and had been at large ever since.

Det Insp Jim Elston, of Lancashire Constabulary's Public Protection Unit, said: "Following a new media appeal with the publication of the recent photograph, information was received from the public which led officers from Sussex police to an address in Hove where Karney was arrested for a recall to prison. He will in due course be interviewed in respect of the Lancashire offences and in turn by officers who have interest in him from other forces. I would like to thank the media for their help and Sussex Police for their co-operation in securing Mr Karney's arrest."

Anyone with information should call Lancashire Constabulary on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers on 088 555 111