A pair of girls ran down an alley to escape a man and woman in a van they feared were following them.

Witham police are keen to trace the occupants of the white Transit-type van and want to hear from anyone who might have seen it in the area of Forest Road, Witham. So far police investigations have drawn a blank.

The girls, both young teenagers, first thought they were being followed in Forest Road at about 5.30pm on November 22.

Police said: "The van stopped next to them and someone appeared to open the door. The van was occupied by a female passenger and a male driver.

"Nothing was said to the girls and no direct approach was made, but they felt uneasy so they turned and ran. The van then turned round and followed them."

He said the girls managed to escape through an alleyway. They described the woman passenger as white with collar-length dark brown tightly curled hair and said the van was shabby with double doors at the back and no side doors.

PC Emma Makey from Witham Police said: "The girls were quite shaken.

"If any youngster is in doubt or a bit nervous about being approached by a stranger they should tell someone and these girls did very well at looking after themselves."

She said: "These girls weren't spoken to and no attempt was made to grab them, but they felt it would be best to run."

Anyone with any information can contact Witham police on 01376 501212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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