Alert over serial flasher attacks

Officers believe four separate incidents involving pupils aged ten to 13 between June and October were committed by the same man who is targeting schoolgirls.

The first incident happened on Friday, June 10, at about 3.50pm at a bus stop opposite Clifton Comprehensive School.

An 11-year-old girl told police she saw a man standing at the bus stop looking at the timetable. A moment later she realised he was standing in front of her exposing himself.

When the girl ran back into the school to alert staff, the man was seen running down Middle Lane, turning right onto Clifton Grove.

The second incident was at about 8am on Friday, July 22, at a bus stop on Kimberworth Road, Ferham.

This was the last day of term before the school holidays and a 13-year-old girl reported that a man, who was already at the bus stop, exposed himself to her while making inappropriate comments. The girl ran away and the police were called.

Just before 8am on Thursday, October 6, at a bus stop on New Wortley Road near to Garden Street an 11-year-old girl reported that a man approached her, exposed himself and spoke to her.

When she ran away, the man was seen running towards Wilton Road.

The most recent incident happened at about 4.40pm on Wednesday October 12 at a bus stop on Meadowhall Road at the end of the drive to Meadow View Primary School.

A ten-year-old girl noticed a man exposing himself and behaving in an inappropriate manner. She ran away and the police were called.

All four gave similar descriptions of a man aged 30 to 40, between 5ft 8ins and 6ft tall with a slim build.

He is described as having a pale complexion with distinctive wrinkles on his face, especially around his mouth and eyes, with short dark grey or brown hair.

He was wearing “workman” style clothing and a high visibility fluorescent sleeveless jacket.

Officers do not believe that the man has made any attempt to physically harm or abduct the girls. 

Supt Andrew Parker said: “The young girls, each very distressed by what has happened to them, are to be commended for their actions in alerting police.

“I can appreciate this news is going to create a great deal of concern and worry, especially for parents of schoolgirls in the Kimberworth and Clifton areas.

“I want to reassure parents and the local communities that we are doing everything we can to apprehend this offender.”

Safer Neighbourhood Teams for the Kimberworth and Clifton have been deployed and officers are also working with teachers at the schools.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 and quote reference 795 of October 12. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.

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