Police have warned schoolgirls and college students to be on their guard against a pervert with bushy sideburns.

It comes after two incidents of indecent exposure aimed at 14-year-old girls which police believe could be linked.

The first involved a man exposing himself to a girl who was walking across the footpath between the Laindon Link and Mellow Purgess on March 10, at around 1.30pm.

He was white, of medium build, around 35 years old, 5ft 9ins, with very short light brown receding hair, stubble and distinctive sideburns. He wore a brown fleece top, work boots and jeans.

The second was just six days later at 8.05am in Rectory Road, Pitsea.

On that occasion, a man with a blue hat, navy blue jacket and blue or black trousers, exposed himself to a 14-year-old girl and began to perform an indecent act upon himself.

He was the same age, height - and had the distinctive bushy sideburns.

Two other cases of indecent exposure being investigated by police, which occurred just a few weeks ago, could also be linked.

A spokesman for Basildon police said: "We take these cases extremely seriously and would urge anyone who recognises the descriptions given to contact the police."

Anyone with information is asked to call Basildon police on 01268 532212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Published Thursday, March 21, 2002