Earlier this week a dad had his hotel room 'raided by police' after he was suspected of being a paedophile when checking in with his daughter.
Karl Pollard, 46, had checked into a Travelodge in Macclesfield with his 14-year-old daughter, having travelled up from their home in South Wales to visit the girl's grandmother, who was in hospital.
Pollard explained that about 10 minutes after checking in, there was a knock at his hotel room door.
Advert
He said: "A policewoman was standing there. I thought something had happened to my mum or my wife. But she said, 'We've had a call from Travelodge, they believe you are a paedophile grooming underage girls'."
The police then took Pollard in and interviewed him and his daughter separately about the incident.
Pollard added: "My daughter was in tears. She was so scared - and thought I was going to get taken away. This has never happened to me before."
Advert
But apparently the staff at the Travelodge had been acting on company policy, which helps safeguard 'young people at risk'.
A spokesperson for Travelodge told LADbible: "Our national guidelines are supported by the NSPCC, and have also been approved by the National Working Group on child sexual exploitation, South Yorkshire Police and the MET Police.
"We know this works as in the past proactive action by our hotel teams has helped to safeguard young people at risk."
The spokesperson added: "Unfortunately we cannot comment on individual issues."
Advert
Many other people on social media also seemed to support Travelodge's policy, too.
Commenting on LADbible's original news article, one person wrote: "Travelodge did the right thing. An honest mistake. I'd much rather falsely accuse someone, than let a real predator off, because I was scared of being wrong."
Another said: "Better to be wrong a thousand times and save some poor child once...well done Travelodge."
Advert
Another person wrote: "Could have been handled better but travel lodge were worried and took action..if it saves one child in jeopardy then so be it."
Pollard said the Travelodge did not originally offer him a refund of the £150 that he paid for the room, but the hotel chain later apologised and refunded him.
Macclesfield police also released the following statement: "Police were called at 3pm on Thursday, February 8, to reports of suspicious activity at a hotel on Waters Green in Macclesfield.
"Staff at the Travelodge did the right thing by reporting what they believed to be suspicious activity to officers, although thankfully there was nothing untoward and it turned out to be a misunderstanding."
Advert
Featured Image Credit: PA