Sex Offender YouTuber Sparks Outrage Filming Britain’s Streets
Convicted Offender Curtis Arnold Under Police Scrutiny
Curtis Arnold, 36, runs DJE Media and boasts over 250,000 YouTube subscribers. He calls his content “independent journalism with a twist.” But Arnold is no typical vlogger – he’s a convicted sex offender monitored by Thames Valley Police.
He grabbed national headlines in February 2023 after filming the recovery of Nicola Bulley’s body from a Lancashire river. Since then, Arnold has been cashing in on gritty footage showing the “good, bad and ugly” sides of Britain’s cities, sparking fierce controversy.
A Dark Past: Sex Offences, Fraud & Voyeurism
Arnold’s criminal record reads like a thriller. In 2019, he was convicted on 12 counts including fraud, voyeurism, causing sexual activity, and making indecent images of a minor. At Harrow Crown Court, it emerged he posed as a modelling agent to secretly film women without consent, selling images to promote fitness products.
He was sentenced to 40 months’ jail, later cut to 34 months. Alongside this, Arnold was hit with a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and registered as a sex offender until 2029.
His troubles kept coming: in November last year, Arnold received a suspended sentence for trespassing on a protected site.
Manchester Officials Slam Provocative Content
Manchester’s leaders haven’t held back. Council leader Bev Craig condemned YouTubers who “exacerbate negative perceptions” with personal agendas. Mayor Andy Burnham called them “agent provocateurs” distorting the city’s image for political ends.
Arnold, however, plays the hard man. “If you behave badly in public, expect to be filmed,” he told the Manchester Evening News.
Filming with Flair – Drones, Spy Glasses & Body Cams
Arnold uses drones, spy glasses, body cams, and handheld gadgets to capture his footage, editing hours into feature-length videos. After backlash over Nicola Bulley coverage, he rebranded from Curtis Media to DJE Media.
His social media reach is massive—251,000 YouTube subscribers, 388,000 Facebook followers, and nearly 224,000 TikTok fans.
But his content is divisive. His Manchester Piccadilly Gardens videos label vulnerable people “crazy” and “feral,” showing homeless people, drug users, and police raids. Titles like “MENTALLY INSANE PICCADILLY ZOMBIES” and “MANCHESTER’S FERAL FEEDING FRENZY” fan the flames.
Charity Warns of Exploitation, Critics Call Out Harassment
“The people targeted aren’t content – they’re human beings facing trauma, addiction and mental health crises,” said Hendrix Lancaster, cofounder of Manchester charity Coffee4Craig. “Arnold’s videos exploit vulnerable people for profit, stripping them of dignity and increasing risks.”
Viewers slam Arnold for harassing desperate individuals. One viral clip shows a woman confronting him: “It’s disgusting what you do.”
Arnold fires back defiantly: “I’ll video who I want, and you’re not going to do f*** all about it.”
Police Monitoring but No New Charges
Thames Valley Police are reviewing Arnold’s footage to see if he’s breached his SHPO, which limits his actions until 2029. Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police say Arnold has cooperated with investigations but faces no current criminal probes locally.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes warned: “Some people provoke incidents just to film and post online for personal gain, making policing more difficult.”
What’s Next? Arnold Vows to Spill Secrets
Arnold has teased an “explanation video” to clear his name and expose alleged system corruption. But it hasn’t appeared yet. Critics call for tougher laws to shield vulnerable people from online exploitation.
