A video appearing to show a homeless man being threatened with a knife in a Preston car park and then having his possessions torched is being investigated by police.

Branded as an ‘extremely unpleasant incident’ the footage shows a group of youths allegedly taunting the man.

The homeless man is sleeping rough in the Market Car Park and police say he was approached by a group of youths during Saturday 8 September.

The video, which has been widely shared on Facebook, is a 42-second clip.

Police say they want to locate the man who is in the video.

His sleeping bag is set on fire at the end of the video.

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Inspector Helen Dixon, of Lancashire Constabulary’s South Division, said: “This is an extremely unpleasant incident and we are working with outreach services in the city to find this man and address any safeguarding concerns.

“We are also trying to identify the young people in the video so we can take appropriate action.”

During Thursday (27 September) afternoon police gave an update saying a 14-year-old girl from Preston has been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and affray.

A 15-year-old boy from Preston has now also been arrested on suspicion of affray.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log 751 of September 26.