Colchester Man Arrested After Boys Accosted

24 October 2014, 10:17 | Updated: 24 October 2014, 10:18

A man from Colchester has been arrested after two boys were accosted in Clacton.

The incident happened on Saturday. The 53 year-old is being questioned on suspicion of indecent exposure and sexual touching.

Essex Police say a man stopped a boy near an alleway off Dudley Road at around 6.30pm on Saturday and invited the boy to walk into the alley with him. The boy ran off and told his parents.

Then, at around 9pm on the same day, the same man is thought to have approached another boy and started talking to him. The boy become suspicious and then ran off.

Detective Inspector Leighton Hammett said: "Following our appeal in relation to the incidents on October 18 several people have contacted us to report other possible accostings or suspicious behaviour by a man in the St Johns Road area dating back to September 27.

"We are speaking to these people to see if we can establish whether they are definitely linked to our initial report and we have asked schools to alert parents as well.

"There have been no attempts to grab any of these children but we would ask people to remain vigilant and make sure their children do not speak to strangers and that they understand the importance of telling them if they are approached.

"We will be carrying out additional patrols in Clacton to provide reassurance and I would ask anyone with information to speak to our officers."

A 43 year-old arrested over it earlier this week has now been released without charge.