TWO young girls were approached separately by a man in Cheltenham last week and police are appealing for information.

One of the incidents involved the man exposing himself indecently to one of the girls.

A man approached two young girls in Charlton Kings on Wednesday, October 8. An E Fit of the suspect has now been produced.

The incidents took place between 4-4.10 pm when a man riding a black BMX bicycle separately approached two girls aged 13 and 12 years old, in the second case indecently exposing himself.

Police believe he may be the same person since his description is very similar on each occasion.

Incident 1

A 13-year-old girl walking near the church in the direction of Pound Walk at about 4pm was approached by a man who spoke to her, attempted to grab her shoulder, and followed her across Lyefield Road West and into Brookway Road, after which he rode off.

He was described as white, in his late teens to early 20s, blue eyes, with shoulder length blonde hair in dreadlocks, at least 1 and a half metres tall, of proportionate build, possibly wearing a hooded top, and riding a black BMX bicycle.

Incident 2

A 12-year-old girl walking along Cudnall Street towards Sixways at about 4.10 pm was approached by a man on a bicycle who exposed himself to her, but did not speak.

He is described as white, in his early 30s, with shoulder length blonde to mousey hair in dreadlocks partly tied back, wearing a long baggy creamy brown coat and blue joggers, and riding a black BMX bicycle.

Anyone who has information about either incident is asked to contact Gloucestershire Police on 101, quoting incident numbers 309, 315, 404 of October 8 and crime number 23539/14.

Inspector Tim Waterhouse of Cheltenham police station said: "Although this suspect has not harmed anyone and we have no reason to believe he will, it is vital that we arrest him as quickly as possible.

"We are conducting extra patrols to provide community reassurance and this reflects our going determination to keep the community safe. We are appealing to the public to help us find this person and think it very likely that someone will recognise him from the E Fit picture."

You can also give information anonymously by contacting the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111