Hunt for man who exposed himself to girls in Pool (From Ilkley Gazette)

Hunt for man who exposed himself to girls in Pool

11:43am Friday 28th September 2012 in News By Jim Jack

Police are appealing for witnesses following a “very distressing” case of indecent exposure involving two teenage girls.

The 13-year-olds were walking along Arthington Lane in Pool-in-Wharfedale, near its junction with White Holme Drive, between 4pm and 5pm on Saturday, when the incident happened.

They were approaching a small white van parked on the pathway when a man, sitting in the driver’s seat, suddenly exposed himself to them.

He was described as white, aged in his late twenties or early thirties, and had short brown hair, large eyebrows and stubble on his face. He was wearing a dark-coloured hooded top, with the hood pulled up.

The girls have helped the police put together an e-fit (Electronic Facial Identification Technique) picture of the suspect.

One of their fathers told the Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer he hoped it would lead to the man’s swift arrest.

He said: “The police are taking this incident extremely seriously and we want to do whatever we can to publicise the fact this has happened and help them catch this man.”

Head of the Aireborough and Wharfedale Neighbourhood Policing Team, Inspector Richard Coldwell, said: “This was obviously a very distressing incident for these two young girls and we would urge anyone who recognises the man or who saw a man fitting his description in the area to get in touch immediately.

“This is a very unusual incident for this area and we would like to reassure local people that officers will be patrolling the area.”

Anyone who recognises the man from the e-fit image, or who saw anyone fitting his description in the area, is asked to contact PC 339 Rob Atkin at Otley police station by calling 101 or to contact Crimestoppers, anonymously and in confidence, on 0800 555 111.