A MUM has revealed how her 13-year-old daughter was followed by a flasher who exposed himself to the girl as she walked home from school.
The terrifying incident, in Yardley Road, Laindon, left the schoolgirl physically shaking and the mum is now warning other parents and residents over the incident.
The victim’s mum, who the Echo is not naming to protect the identity of the girl, said her daughter was followed into a small alleyway before the man shouted at her and exposed himself.
Essex Police has been made aware of the incident, which took place on Wednesday evening.
The man was described as having a small beard and wearing jogging bottoms and a black t-shirt.
The victim returned home afterwards in tears and visibly shaken following the ordeal.
Speaking to the Echo, the mum said: “I was at home and heard crying from outside the front door. As I walked out of the kitchen, I came face to face with her and she was physically shaking and bawling her eyes out.
“It took me five minutes to get it out of her”.
The mum contacted Essex Police immediately after the incident, however she claims since her initial conversation with officers she is yet to hear anything else.
Since the incident, the mum is refusing to let her child walk to school over fears she could be targeted again.
“The lack of communication from the police is disgusting,” she said.
“I’m not letting her walk. I’m driving her to school and picking her up. I’ve taken away her freedom, but I’ve got no other choice.
“When I was younger, I used to walk home from Pitsea to Craylands and never had anything like this happen to me”.
She added that in the days since her daughter was flashed, she has received fantastic support from her school, including conversations with a qualified wellbeing practitioner.
No arrests have been made at this stage of the Essex Police investigation.
Inspector Steve Parry said: “I know that this has been an upsetting incident and may cause concern to parents and the wider community.
“We’re investigating the circumstances around the incident and we’re asking for anyone who may have information to contact us.
“We take these incidents seriously and would ask anyone who has concerns about similar incidents to report to us.
“Our Children and Young Person officers will be attending the nearby school to talk to staff to give advice on keeping safe and how to report anything suspicious.
“We will be conducting reassurance patrols alongside community safety wardens so that anyone with concerns can stop and talk to us.”
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