Police arrested a 27- year-old man in Leiden in the early hours of the morning for allegedly physically abusing an 8-year-old boy and live streaming the abuse on Facebook, broadcaster NOS reports.

The live stream prompted various people to call the police who managed to identify the address in Leiden by means of objects visible in the images. Police did not specify what the objects were.

The man, who is homeless, and the boy were both found at the address and are related although the precise nature of the relationship is unknown.

The boy was examined by ambulance staff and was not found to be in need of medical help. Police are asking people who saw the live stream to contact them.