PARENTS across Yate and Chipping Sodbury have been warned to not allow their children to walk home alone after a third girl was targetted by a man sniffing children's shoes.

Avon and Somerset Police has re-issued an E-fit of a man they want to speak to in connection with three incidents where young girls have been touched inappropriately by an unknown man.

As part of the most recent appeal- schools and colleges across South Gloucestershire have been contacted by police to warn students of the potential danger.

Ms Kim Garland, headteacher at Brimsham Green School in Yate sent a letter to parents outlining the concerns and advising children not to walk to and from the school alone.

The letter said: "Avon and Somerset Constabulary are investigating three incidents where lone female school children have been approached by an unknown male.

"The male has gained their attention by asking them for the time, before acting inappropriately towards them, including removing their shoes.

"Please talk to your child to make them aware of these incidents and advise them not to walk to/from school alone."

The school also urged parents to tell children to call 999 immediately if they were approached and to speak with police if anything had already happened to them.

Police are keeping an open mind on whether the three incidents are connected. 

The first at around 4pm in Slimbridge Close, Yate, on January 14 was followed by a similar incident at 4.30pm on March 21 in an underpass near Abbotswood, Yate and the third in Robin Way, Chipping Sodbury, at about 3.15pm on Thursday, May 26.

In the first incident, the man was described as white, in his 20s and about 5ft 9ins tall with blond hair. He wore a light red, blue and white block colour coat, dark trousers and blue trainers. 

Officers continue to carry out targeted patrols in Yate and Chipping Sodbury.

Gazette Series: E-Fit of the man police would like to speak with.E-Fit of the man police would like to speak with.

If you recognise the man in the image, or have information which could help the investigation, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference 5222011047 (14 January); 5222067867 (21 March) or 5222125160 (26 May