Police are hunting for a man who masturbated in front of three schoolgirls.

The girls were walking along Coulsdon Road in Caterham when they witnessed the “distressing” sight through the man’s car window.

He was sitting in the parked car near a building site at the end of the road at about 3.45pm on May 10.

Neighbourhood Inspector Dan Gutierrez, of Surrey Police, said: “The man did not make any attempt to speak to the girls and the car window was closed but nonetheless this was a distressing experience for the young girls and we’d like to find out who this man is to further our investigation.

“We have stepped up patrols in the area and visited local schools to answer any questions or concerns but we’d also like to hear from anyone who may have also seen this incident and has not come forward yet.”

The man was white, aged in his 20s and had light-brown cropped hair. He was wearing a white or light-coloured t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms.

His car was described by police as “old and rusty” and was parked on double yellow lines.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or use the online reporting system at report.police.uk