POLICE are stepping up patrols outside schools in the area after a series of incidents in which men have approached young girls.

They will be highlighting the dangers to raise awareness among parents.

Last Tuesday, June 23, at about 6pm, an 11-year-old girl was approached by two men, aged 20 to 25, in a car as she walked along Upland Road and Pennine Road in Bromsgrove.

One of the men got out of the black Ford Ka and asked the girl to go over but she ignored them and carried on walking.

The second incident happened on Monday at 3.20pm, when a 14-year-old girl reported seeing a man touching himself inappropriately as he sat in a car in Meadow Road, Wythall, as she was on her way back from school.

A 44-year-old Birmingham man was arrested about that incident and is now on bail to return to Kidderminster Police Station on August 17.

Then, at 8.30am on Tuesday, June 30, three girls, two aged 12 and one aged 13, reported being approached by a very thin man, who was aged around 65, with grey hair and a skinny face, near Woodrush School, Shawhurst Lane, Hollywood.

They said they had been approached by the same man at a car boot sale several months ago.

Sgt Richard Field, of Bromsgrove Safer Neighbourhood Team, said that police patrols would be stepped up outside schools to "highlight the dangers and raise awareness among parents".

"In two of these incidents there is no confirmed crime, as the girls were approached and nothing more happened - but it is worrying," he added.

Sgt Field urged anyone with information about these incidents - or other similar ones - to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.