POLICE are investigating after a young girl was followed by a man in Catterick.

The year five pupil was walking to Wavell Community Junior school from Rutland Close when the man started following her.

The incident happened at about 8am on Friday and the girl rushed to school and reported the incident to staff, who subsequently reported it to the police.

The suspect is described as being a white man, well-built, shorter than six feet tall, with no facial hair and in his 30s. He was wearing a black coat, a dark fishing type hat and grey jogging bottoms.

Sergeant Sharon Findlay, from the local neighbourhood policing team, said: “We do not want people to panic and be alarmed.

“This in an unusual occurrence and we are conducting enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“Residents should feel reassured we are conducting high visibility patrols in the area and we encourage anyone with any information to get in touch.”

Anyone who saw the man described in the area at the time of the incident is asked to contact police.

Dial 101, press one and ask to speak to the North Yorkshire Police force control room.

Quote incident number 12180218718 of November 23 when passing on information.