A flasher confronted an 11-year-old Hove schoolgirl, exposed himself and then followed her, Sussex Police said this afternoon (Friday 10 March).
At one point he tried to grab her, the force said, adding that two other incidents in the same area were reported yesterday (Thursday 9 Match).
A spokesman said: “Police in Brighton and Hove are investigating an incident in which an 11-year-old schoolgirl was confronted by a man who exposed himself to her and then followed her.
“It happened between 4pm and 4.30pm on Tuesday (7 March) as the girl was on a path in Benfield Valley, linking the A293 and Hangleton Way.
“She ran off towards the Greenleas football pitches to seek help and could see the man following her.
“She was able to phone her father, who was already on his way to pick her up.
“Police officers made an extensive search of the area but were unable to trace the offender.
“He is described as a white man in his late teens or early twenties, 6ft 2in to 6ft 3in and slim. He was wearing a long-sleeved black top, black jogging bottoms and black trainers.
“He was also wearing a black, peaked woolly hat and a black bandana across his face which at one stage he pulled aside, disclosing black facial hair. He is also believed to have black hair.
“When first seen he was standing beside a bicycle, possibly a mountain bike. At one stage he made a grab for the girl but she managed to evade him.
“Police have not ruled out the possibility that the incident may be connected to two others in the same area reported on Thursday (9 March).
“At 8am two 11-year-old boys were confronted by a man who exposed himself on a footpath just off the Hangleton Lane roundabout.
“Then at 3.30pm two girls walking through woods behind the Sainsbury supermarket reported seeing a man who rode past them on a bike, before returning and following them towards Burlington Gardens.”
Detective Sergeant Peter Davis said: “Inquiries are continuing and extra patrols have been deployed in the area.
“We’d ask that any further incidents are reported as quickly as possible on 999 so that officers can attend immediately.”
Any information about the current incident can be reported by phoning Sussex Police on 101, emailing 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or contacting the force online at
https://sussex.police.uk/contact-us/response-to-appeal, quoting serial 975 of 07/03.
It is also possible to call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
