Motorist stalked young girl

The incident happened in Hastings Road last Saturday, September 22, at about 1.45pm. The 11-year-old girl was walking north towards Chapel Walk and was near the junction with Penny Lane, when she noticed a blue/grey people carrier type vehicle.

It slowed down and the driver beckoned her. She ran off into Glynde Ascent and the vehicle turned round in Third Avenue and returned towards her, the driver again beckoning to her.

At this point she phoned the police and last saw the vehicle turning around at the traffic lights at the junction with Penland Road and travelling towards Ravenside.

She has described the man as white, 50-60, of slim build, with a wrinkly face, spectacles and with long, unkempt grey hair and balding, which gave him the appearance of a ‘mad professor’. He was wearing a blue checked shirt, light coloured trousers. SHe thought he may have a mole on his cheek.

Sergeant Dan Russell said: “While this must have been a frightening experience for this young girl, she did exactly the right thing by not approaching the man when he beckoned to her and calling the police.

“He didn’t speak to her or make physcial contact, but we do want to talk to him to establish the circumstances of what went on. If you saw the vehicle in the area around Saturday lunchtime or indeed recognise it or the driver from another occasion, please call Sussex Police on 101 quoting serial 1022 of 15/09.”