A naked cyclist has been exposing himself to women along towpaths next to the River Thames.

Richmond police are investigating three formal complaints about the cyclist.

A police spokeswoman said the incidents were first reported in the summer but there have been recent sightings of the man - described as white and about 30 years old.

The first incident took place on May 18 at about 5.15pm when two teenage girls saw a man get on his bike in the nature reserve in Lonsdale Road, Barnes, and cycle towards the river - he was naked from the waist down.

On June 18, on the towpath between Kew Green and Twickenham Bridge, a 28-year-old woman saw a man naked from the waist down standing in undergrowth when she was out jogging between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.

When she went back past him later in her run he tried to engage her in conversation and then cycled off.

On July 23 a woman running on the towpath from Barnes Bridge towards Hammersmith Bridge between 1pm and 1.30pm saw the man cycle past her naked.

A spokeswoman said: “We are taking this extremely seriously and need to identify this man as a matter of urgency.

“The isolated locations that these incidents have occurred coupled with the lone female victims increases our level of concern.

“This man does not appear to have threatened anyone but we do need to identify him and speak to him about his behaviour.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Barnes safer neighbourhood team on 020 8721 2747 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.