A worried mother has warned parents to be vigilant after a "very suspicious" man asked to take photographs of her young sons.
The man could give no credible explanation of why he wanted the shots and police have added their own warning for people to be on their guard.
The Maldon mum, who does not want to be named, was at Promenade Park in the town watching her youngsters, aged nine and six years old, in the skateboard area.
She said: "There was another group of boys who were a bit older also playing there and this man came over and said as the only adult present would I allow him to take some pictures.
"When I asked him why he said he had a new part for his camera and wanted to try it out.
"He had an old-fashioned 35mm camera instead of a digital so I asked him what part, thinking he might say he had a fast shutter lens and wanted to photograph the moving skateboards and bikes, but he got very defensive and a bit angry.
"I said he could not take any photographs and he walked away.
"I saw him leave the park about half an hour later but he came past the skateboard area again so I wondered if he was checking to see if I was still there."
Insp Kevin Jacobs, of Maldon police, said: "If anyone sees anything suspicious at the Promenade Park or anywhere else they should report it immediately to the police, a park ranger or any of the kiosk owners."
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Tuesday, September 13, 2005
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