POLICE are searching for a man who indecently exposed himself to girls as young as nine in Radcliffe.

Officers say they are stepping up patrols and are urging witnesses to come forward, as they believe the man could strike again.

At around 2pm on April 23 the man exposed himself to two girls aged nine and 10, who then ran off.

They had been walking along Dumers Lane when they were approached by the man in a dark blue car, who asked the girls the way to Bury.

The girl described the man as described as white, aged between 30 and 40, with a chubby build and greying brown hair with blue eyes.

He spoke with a local accent and was wearing a blue shirt with both sleeves rolled up and black trousers.

The man had also been involved in two incidents the day before.

At around 7.30pm the man exposed himself to a 12-year-old girl, who ran off to a nearby post office.

She had been walking down Dumers Lane and was approached by the man in a dark blue car, who asked her how to get to Bury New Road.

At around the same time that day, the man approached a 14-year-old girl who was also walking down Dumers Lane, and asked her how to get to Radcliffe.

He then asked the girl to get into his car and show him the way, and promised to drop her off back where he had approached her once he had reached his destination.

However the girl refused and entered a nearby shop, but the man waited outside the shop and asked her again when she emerged.

Having refused, the man drove off in the direction of Radcliffe.

These two girls described the man as white, aged between 30 and 50, with greying, brown hair and wearing a blue and white cheque shirt.

Detective Sergeant Ben Cottam, of Bury Police, said: “We are appealing to any witnesses to these incidents to get in touch.

“It is important that we make the public aware that this man is at large and potentially could attempt something similar again.

“We’re also keen to hear from anyone else who may have had a similar experience but who has not yet reported it to police for whatever reason.

“We’re urging the public to remain vigilant and call police if you are concerned.

“We do have extra patrols in the area but would ask if anyone sees a man of this description driving a blue saloon car in the area, or approaching young girls, that they contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 8204 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.