Police hunt Clitheroe serial sex pest who is targeting schoolgirls

A major police investigation is under way to catch the offender who exposed himself to schoolgirls on six separate occasions. The first incident happened in January 2010 and the most recent on Monday (July 4th, 2011).

Now parents are being advised to make sure their children are using well-populated routes to school after five of the incidents happened in an alleyway at Newton Street, off Woone Lane. The sixth incident happened at the Clitheroe Rugby Field, near Copperfield Close.

Police say schoolgirls have said the offender, who has been targeting his victims at mostly 8-30 a.m. in the mornings or between 2-40 and 2-45 p.m. when they leave schools, was just standing in the middle of the alleyway and exposing himself to girls who walk past.

On Monday, he was spotted between 1 and 1-45 p.m.

The man is described as a white male, around 30 years old, with short dark spiky hair. On a number of occasions he was described as wearing blue “workman-style” trousers.

Sgt Graham Marshall, of Clitheroe Police, is investigating the incidents. He said: “These incidents can be distressing for victims of any age and so it is very concerning that schoolgirls are being targeted.

“We are treating these indecent acts as very serious and it is worrying, especially as we believe the same man is responsible and he could be local. The first incidents happened at the beginning of January 2010, but more recently they have increased. This offender needs catching and if anyone has any information, however little, regarding the whereabouts of this man, they should contact the police immediately. We need to prevent this from happening again.”

Sgt Marshall added: “I would also like to re-iterate to parents to be on their guard and make sure their children are using well-populated routes on their way to school, at lunchtimes and when leaving school.”

Anyone with information should call 01200 443344 or the free and confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.