OFFICE workers have been warned to be alert after a man exposed himself to a woman in a car park.

The woman was in a stairwell in Middleborough car park, Colchester, when the incident happened at about 4.15pm on Tuesday.

Staff based at the Octagon building opposite were sent an email from management, offering security staff to escort them to and from the car park opposite, if they wanted.

Tenants in the building, which has hundreds of staff, include Towergate insurance, Abellio Greater Anglia and Handelsbanken, and many use the public car park for work.

David Stacey, the Octagon’s facilities manager, said the female victim did not work in the building, but had told a staff member who is based at the Octagon.

He said it has been reported to police. He said: “Somebody has told us somebody exposed themself to a woman in the staircase adjacent to the River Lodge bar. The man was in his fifties with grey hair.

“We told people it has happened and to be careful and if they can have security escort them over there if they don’t feel safe.”

Mr Stacey added: “It is just a sad reflection of the society we live in.

“We can’t be alarmist about telling people certain areas are unsafe – in reality some areas are at times and that goes for all parts of the town and the car park is one of those areas.

“You cannot protect every area, every single minute of the day. It is not economically possible.

“We try to protect our property and our tenants’ property the best we can, with the resources we have got.”

The car park is run by Colchester Council.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Essex Police on 101.