Clacton's notorious paedophile must be stopped
Our detectives are still investigating a series of accostings in Clacton have released CCTV footage of a man they want to identify.After a thorough review of similar incidents over the last four years, officers have identified a total of 18 offences in Clacton and two in Colchester which could all be linked.
As part of the investigation, detectives have now released CCTV of an incident on Saturday, October 18, 2014 when a 14-year-old boy was approached by a man near an alleyway off Watson Road, Clacton at about 6.30pm.
A man stopped the boy as he was walking home and invited him to walk into the alleyway with him. The man acted inappropriately and the boy ran off and alerted his parents.
The CCTV also shows the man run across Watson Road in the path of oncoming cars. Officers want to trace the drivers of those cars who may remember a man running across the road and have information that could help investigating officers.
The description of the offender is very similar in a number of the incidents and police have previously issued the efit above.
The man is described as about 6ft tall, aged 40 to 60 and of large/stocky build with receding short brown/grey hair. He is thought to have a London accent and in other incidents has worn a black beanie hat and/or red Columbia ski jacket, a photo of which has been released.
Detective Inspector Leighton Hammett said: "I would urge anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV to contact us. Although it may not be the best quality, the man has a distinctive running style and we are keen to hear from drivers who may remember him running across the path of their car on Watson Road at around 6.30pm.
"There have been no recorded incidents since October 26, 2014. However we are still carrying out police patrols in the area to provide reassurance but I would remind people to remain vigilant and speak to their children about stranger danger and the importance of telling someone if they are approached. It is then vital to call Essex Police on 101 as soon as possible or, if the offender is believed to be close by, dial 999.”
Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV or who may have information that could help detectives with their investigation is asked to call Clacton CID on 101.
Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through the anonymous form on their website. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you won’t have to go to court.
Updated: Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Our detectives are still investigating a series of accostings in Clacton and are now linking them to two incidents in Colchester in August 2013.
Officers began their investigation when two boys were approached by a man who acted inappropriately on Saturday, October 18, 2014.
There were then two other offences on Sunday October 26, 2014 but no further since.
However detectives have been carrying out a review of similar incidents over the last four years and identified a total of 20 offences which could all be linked.
In total 18 offences have taken place in Clacton with two more in Colchester.
Detective Inspector Leighton Hammett said: "I am particularly interested in these offences in Colchester as the victims gave a good description of the suspect and also provided details of a very distinctive jacket he was wearing.
"In the first offence on Wednesday August 25, 2013, a man indecently exposed himself to a 14-year-old boy in Longridge, Colchester at 8.30am while he was on his paper round.
"He is described as a white man, aged 40 to 60, with brown receding hair, 6ft tall, of stocky build, wearing black trousers and a red Columbia ski jacket.
"The next day another 14-year-old boy on his paper round was approached by a man in Bromley Road, Elmstead Market, at 9.20am. Again the suspect indecently exposed himself.
"He was wearing a red Columbia ski jacket with a grey zip and smart black trousers and shoes.
"Both these offences took place in the height of summer and the jacket would have looked out of place. If you remember seeing this man or know someone who has a jacket like the attached image and matches the descriptions given then I would like to hear from you.”
An e-fit of the offender has previously been issued in relation to the recent incidents in Clacton.
DI Hammett added: "If anyone recognises that picture or has any other information which could assist our enquiries I would urge them to contact us.
"We are still carrying out police patrols in the area of these offences to provide reassurance to the community and if anyone has any information or concerns I would ask them to speak to these officers.
"I would also urge people to remain vigilant and make sure their children do not speak to strangers and that they understand the importance of telling a responsible person immediately if they are approached. It is then vital to call Essex Police on 101 as soon as possible or, if the offender is believed to be close by, then use 999.
"I would also ask parents to make sure their children do not go out alone and they know where they are at all times."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Clacton CID on 101 or contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
Our detectives are still investigating a series of accostings in Clacton and have now identified a sixth offence.
At around 9pm on Sunday, October 26, 2014, a 24-year-old man was approached by a man in St Ann's Road, close to the junction with Old Road.
The man tried to persuade the victim to walk with him before indecently exposing himself.
The victim punched the man before running off.
The suspect is described as white and of stocky build with a mole on his face. He was wearing a waterproof with a zip pocket on the front, dark clothing and a beanie hat which was pulled up quite high on his head.
Detective Inspector Leighton Hammett said: "This offence means we now have a total of six incidents which we believe all involve the same suspect approaching boys and young men. He has then tried to engage them in conversation and acted inappropriately."
The other incidents being investigated are:
A 15-year-old boy being approached in Holland Road at 6.55pm on Saturday September 20, 2014
Two 12-year-old boys being approached in Pathfields Road at 3pm on Saturday September 27, 2014
A 14-year-old boy being approached at about 6.30pm near an alleyway off Dudley Road on Saturday October 18, 2014
A 13-year-old boy being approached at 9pm in Coppins Road on Saturday October 18, 2014
A 20-year-old man being approached at 8.30pm in Anchor Road on Sunday October 26, 2014
Detective Inspector Leighton Hammett added: "The offender description is very similar in all these incidents and we believe it is the same man who we have already issued an e-fit of which can be seen above. If anyone recognises that picture or has any other information which could assist our enquiries I would urge them to contact us.
"We are still carrying out police patrols in the area of these attacks to provide reassurance to the community and if anyone has any information or concerns I would ask them to speak to these officers.
"I would also urge people to remain vigilant and make sure their children do not speak to strangers and that they understand the importance of telling a responsible person immediately if they are approached. It is then vital to call Essex Police on 101 as soon as possible or, if the offender is believed to be close by, then use 999.
"I would also ask parents to make sure their children do not go out alone and they know where they are at all times."
The suspect is described as aged 40 to 45, 6ft to 6ft 2in tall, white and of stocky to chubby build. He has stained teeth, a mole under his right eye and smells strongly of body odour.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Clacton CID on 101 or contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
As part of the investigation, detectives have now released CCTV of an incident on Saturday, October 18, 2014 when a 14-year-old boy was approached by a man near an alleyway off Watson Road, Clacton at about 6.30pm.
A man stopped the boy as he was walking home and invited him to walk into the alleyway with him. The man acted inappropriately and the boy ran off and alerted his parents.
The CCTV also shows the man run across Watson Road in the path of oncoming cars. Officers want to trace the drivers of those cars who may remember a man running across the road and have information that could help investigating officers.
The description of the offender is very similar in a number of the incidents and police have previously issued the efit above.
The man is described as about 6ft tall, aged 40 to 60 and of large/stocky build with receding short brown/grey hair. He is thought to have a London accent and in other incidents has worn a black beanie hat and/or red Columbia ski jacket, a photo of which has been released.
Detective Inspector Leighton Hammett said: "I would urge anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV to contact us. Although it may not be the best quality, the man has a distinctive running style and we are keen to hear from drivers who may remember him running across the path of their car on Watson Road at around 6.30pm.
"There have been no recorded incidents since October 26, 2014. However we are still carrying out police patrols in the area to provide reassurance but I would remind people to remain vigilant and speak to their children about stranger danger and the importance of telling someone if they are approached. It is then vital to call Essex Police on 101 as soon as possible or, if the offender is believed to be close by, dial 999.”
Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV or who may have information that could help detectives with their investigation is asked to call Clacton CID on 101.
Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through the anonymous form on their website. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you won’t have to go to court.
Updated: Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Our detectives are still investigating a series of accostings in Clacton and are now linking them to two incidents in Colchester in August 2013.
Officers began their investigation when two boys were approached by a man who acted inappropriately on Saturday, October 18, 2014.
There were then two other offences on Sunday October 26, 2014 but no further since.
However detectives have been carrying out a review of similar incidents over the last four years and identified a total of 20 offences which could all be linked.
In total 18 offences have taken place in Clacton with two more in Colchester.
Detective Inspector Leighton Hammett said: "I am particularly interested in these offences in Colchester as the victims gave a good description of the suspect and also provided details of a very distinctive jacket he was wearing.
"In the first offence on Wednesday August 25, 2013, a man indecently exposed himself to a 14-year-old boy in Longridge, Colchester at 8.30am while he was on his paper round.
"He is described as a white man, aged 40 to 60, with brown receding hair, 6ft tall, of stocky build, wearing black trousers and a red Columbia ski jacket.
"The next day another 14-year-old boy on his paper round was approached by a man in Bromley Road, Elmstead Market, at 9.20am. Again the suspect indecently exposed himself.
"He was wearing a red Columbia ski jacket with a grey zip and smart black trousers and shoes.
"Both these offences took place in the height of summer and the jacket would have looked out of place. If you remember seeing this man or know someone who has a jacket like the attached image and matches the descriptions given then I would like to hear from you.”
An e-fit of the offender has previously been issued in relation to the recent incidents in Clacton.
DI Hammett added: "If anyone recognises that picture or has any other information which could assist our enquiries I would urge them to contact us.
"We are still carrying out police patrols in the area of these offences to provide reassurance to the community and if anyone has any information or concerns I would ask them to speak to these officers.
"I would also urge people to remain vigilant and make sure their children do not speak to strangers and that they understand the importance of telling a responsible person immediately if they are approached. It is then vital to call Essex Police on 101 as soon as possible or, if the offender is believed to be close by, then use 999.
"I would also ask parents to make sure their children do not go out alone and they know where they are at all times."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Clacton CID on 101 or contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
Our detectives are still investigating a series of accostings in Clacton and have now identified a sixth offence.
At around 9pm on Sunday, October 26, 2014, a 24-year-old man was approached by a man in St Ann's Road, close to the junction with Old Road.
The man tried to persuade the victim to walk with him before indecently exposing himself.
The victim punched the man before running off.
The suspect is described as white and of stocky build with a mole on his face. He was wearing a waterproof with a zip pocket on the front, dark clothing and a beanie hat which was pulled up quite high on his head.
Detective Inspector Leighton Hammett said: "This offence means we now have a total of six incidents which we believe all involve the same suspect approaching boys and young men. He has then tried to engage them in conversation and acted inappropriately."
The other incidents being investigated are:
A 15-year-old boy being approached in Holland Road at 6.55pm on Saturday September 20, 2014
Two 12-year-old boys being approached in Pathfields Road at 3pm on Saturday September 27, 2014
A 14-year-old boy being approached at about 6.30pm near an alleyway off Dudley Road on Saturday October 18, 2014
A 13-year-old boy being approached at 9pm in Coppins Road on Saturday October 18, 2014
A 20-year-old man being approached at 8.30pm in Anchor Road on Sunday October 26, 2014
Detective Inspector Leighton Hammett added: "The offender description is very similar in all these incidents and we believe it is the same man who we have already issued an e-fit of which can be seen above. If anyone recognises that picture or has any other information which could assist our enquiries I would urge them to contact us.
"We are still carrying out police patrols in the area of these attacks to provide reassurance to the community and if anyone has any information or concerns I would ask them to speak to these officers.
"I would also urge people to remain vigilant and make sure their children do not speak to strangers and that they understand the importance of telling a responsible person immediately if they are approached. It is then vital to call Essex Police on 101 as soon as possible or, if the offender is believed to be close by, then use 999.
"I would also ask parents to make sure their children do not go out alone and they know where they are at all times."
The suspect is described as aged 40 to 45, 6ft to 6ft 2in tall, white and of stocky to chubby build. He has stained teeth, a mole under his right eye and smells strongly of body odour.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Clacton CID on 101 or contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.