POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two girls were approached by a man in Maldon.

A man reportedly approached two teenage girls at the main gates of Promenade Park car park around 2.30pm on January 31 and tried to engage in conversation.

As the girls attempted to leave, the unknown male grabbed them by the arms.

The girls pulled away and the man shortly left the area in the direction of the High Street.

The man is described as white, slim, over 5 ft tall and in his late 40s to early 50s.

He has black hair and was wearing a black washed-out coat with a pair of dark jogging bottoms.

Investigating officer PC Victoria Melhuish said: “Although incidents like this are concerning, they are thankfully uncommon.

“All local officers, Park Rangers and Community Protection Officers have been made aware of the incident and our enquiries are ongoing.

“We ask that anyone in the local community who may have witnessed the assault, or may have CCTV or dash cam footage from the area at the time, please contacts Maldon’s Local Policing Team on 101, quoting crime reference number 42/18389/21.”

Witnesses can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 111 555 or submit a report at essex.police.uk.