A MAN who approached a group of children playing outdoors is being sought by police after he encouraged a ten-year-old girl to sit with him before kissing her hand.

The girl had been with friends on a grassy hill area near the Parkfield Community Centre in Stockton when the man, believed to be in his 20s, walked up to the group at 6pm on Sunday, May 14.

The man spoke to the girl and kissed her hand before the ten-year-old moved away from him and told a family member about the incident.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “The man is described as being mixed race, in his 20s, of short build and around 5ft 4ins to 5ft 6ins tall with short black messy hair with sideburns, a thin moustache and beard which appeared as short dark stubble.

“The man spoke in broken English which appeared to be his second language and he carried a mobile phone which had a black case.”

Following the report of the incident, the Stockton Neighbourhood Team have increased their activity in the area.

  • Anyone with information on the identity of the man in the E-fit is asked to contact Acting Detective Sergeant Kevin Carter on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org