Billericay police are considering stepping up patrols around Lake Meadows after a crazed flasher chased a pair of terrified children from the park and through the centre of the town.

The two girls, aged nine and 11, were walking through Lake Meadows Park at around 2pm on Sunday when their nightmare ordeal began.

As they reached the area around the groundsman's hut, a trouser-less man leapt into their path and began making obscene gestures and suggestions to them.

The terrified youngsters turned and ran for the exit, but the pervert refused to give up and chased after them, shouting obscene comments as he went.

He followed them along Lake Avenue towards the High Street and then on to the Radford Way roundabout before finally stopping and turning back towards the park.

The man was white, aged in his 30s or 40s, and of medium build. He was wearing a blue shirt, yellow boxer shorts and brown shoes.

Sgt Dave Griffiths from Billericay Police Station said: "The children were obviously quite distressed and their parents were quite shocked as well. You don't expect that kind of thing to happen in Billericay.

"This is a serious incident which gives us considerable cause for concern. We already have regular patrols in and around the park and in view of this incident we will be looking at maintaining and increasing these patrols.

"In the meantime we would urge anybody with any knowledge of this incident to come forward."

If you have any information, contact Pc David Mayne at Billericay Police Station on 01277 631212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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