POLICE have reassured residents there is "no reason for concern" after a school warned parents to be vigilant over a man seen "potentially trying  to take photos".

A letter was sent out to parents of children at Sunnymede Primary School in Billericay yesterday following an incident at 3.15pm where a man was seen "trying to take photos" in the school car park at Mons Avenue. 

However, police have since confirmed the man was spoken to, there is an "innocent explanation" and no reason for concern.

Sergeant Benjamin Bayley said: “I would like to reassure the community in the area the man seen yesterday has been spoken to by officers, was committing no offences, there is an innocent explanation, and no reason for concern from this incident,

"It is also completely unconnected to reports of an incident last week.

“Our officers have been on patrol in the Runymede area following the separate report of a man exposing himself on Tuesday 1 October – please approach us if you want to speak to an officer about this.

“We’d ask anyone with any information that incident to speak to police and share what they know to support our investigation.”

This follows an incident last week where

Headteacher Ronnie Branch had added in her letter to parents yesterday: "There is, of course, A possibility that there has been some kind of misunderstanding," noting that if there is any concrete information or if there is a reason to think this, the school should be contacted so it can be forwarded to police.

This incident is not connected to an incident last week where a man was seen "allegedly exposing himself" in an alleyway next to Sunnymede Reception Playground, which police continued to investigate.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We continue to investigate reports that last week, Tuesday 1 October, a man exposed himself in Monoux Close at about 3.40pm.

"The man is described as white, slim, in his mid-30s to mid-40s, with dark but greying hair, and stubble, and wearing a dark jacket and sunglasses.

"If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

"Please quote the crime reference number 42/149901/24."