Several reports of a man acting suspiciously and approaching children in the Great Harwood and Rishton areas have been reported to police.
Officers are investigating four separate reports of a man aged between 30 to 40 years old approaching young girls aged between 10 and 13, often driving what is described as a small dark coloured vehicle.
The first incident took place at around 8.30pm on January 16 when two girls aged ten and 13 told police they felt intimidated by a man out walking his dog.
They left the corner shop on Eachill Road in Rishton when they saw the man staring at them.
Feeling uncomfortable they decided to walk the long way home so they would not have to pass him but when they reached another junction they saw him again.
The man is described as white, around 6ft tall and 30 years of age.
He was wearing a black hat with a green and grey coat and was walking a skinny black dog.
He did not follow the girls or try and interact with them in anyway.
Police received a further call on January 17 reporting that a young girl had seen a man driving around the Rishton area trying to get young girls into his car.
The man was described as being around 30 years old and had a large dog with him.
Police have made several enquiries into these reports and although suspicious, no crimes have been reported.
On February 8 police received a report that an 11 year old girl had been crossing the pelican crossing on Queen Street when two men, around 40 years old in a small black car have called over at her.
The girl did not interact with them and no crime has taken place.
A similar report was received during the first week of February at around 5pm when a 12 year old girl was walking along Queen Street close to the betting shop when a man in a dark blue car stopped at the crossing and called her over but the girl instinctively ran away.
The man was described as stocky and was wearing a balaclava and a dark jacket.
DI Claire Holbrook said: “Although unnerving for people who live in the area, no offences have taken place. I would urge all members of the public not to be alarmed but to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to police, calling 999 in an emergency.
“I would like to reassure parents and all members of the public that any reports of this nature are taken very seriously and acted upon.”
Anyone with any information about any of these reports or that has any information that could assist police should contact police on 08451 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
