Police appeal over playground man

Police have started an investigation after a man walked into a Dorset school playground and approached a six-year-old girl before leaving.

The incident happened at Corpus Christie School in the Boscombe area of Bournemouth at about 0845 GMT.

It is understood that the man stretched his arms towards the girl, but did not make contact. The child ran towards her mother and the man left.

Dorset Police said they were taking the incident "very seriously".

This was a very worrying incident for the schoolchildren, the parents and the staff Insp Ash Adams

Det Insp Neil Phillips, said: "The girl was playing with two 10-year-old girls at the time and the six-year-old immediately reported what had happened to her mother.

"We are taking this incident very seriously and understandably the child and her mother were very shocked.

"At the moment, it's very important that we hear from witnesses so that we can piece together exactly what happened.

"We're committed to finding this man as soon as possible."

The man was described as white, of smart appearance, 45 to 55 years old, 5ft 8in to 5ft 10in, of stocky build with broad shoulders and with short cropped light greyish hair with a round face.

He was clean shaven and wearing a three-quarter length smart black woollen coat, olive coloured trousers and black shoes and he was carrying a black briefcase.

Insp Ash Adams, added: "This was a very worrying incident for the schoolchildren, the parents and the staff at the school and it's very important that we find this man."