RESIDENTS have given up using a popular park because of a persistent flasher who may have been exposing himself for up to ten years, it is claimed.

Belfairs ward councillor Stephen Aylen said the man has almost been treated as a “local joke” until the number of reported incidents in Belfairs Wood increased this summer.

Police are now appealing for information to catch the man, who is containing to strike as the nights get darker.

Mr Aylen said he believes it is only a matter of time until the man causes serious harm or come to harm himself.

He said: “The joke was that he only appeared in the school holidays. He’s know as the ‘Belfairs Flasher.’ “But he’s started appearing more recently. Lots of people are reporting it. Sometimes I would say it’s almost daily.

“But police now feel because of the time of year and the nights being darker it is getting serious.

“Already, it’s very bad because it is worrying if you are on your own. It’s a flasher, but who knows what it could turn into?”

Mr Aylen said he feared angry park users could turn on the man and cause him harm.

He said: “It’s been building up over the years, it’s not necessarily the same person. It’s a big park and it’s got coppiced areas around with bushes.

“The police have been looking for him for ages but decided to go public to catch him.

“There are a lot of people who now refuse to use the park.

“A lot of single women or widows will only walk around the roads and not in the park, even during the day.

“One of the other fears is that someone is going to tunr on this person.

“He has been chased already.”

Mark Flewitt, Southend Council’s member for public protection, said the man must be “very sad”.

He said: “With these flashers they are saying: ‘Look at me’. They crave attention.

“He must be a very sad man. If you are a victim then it must be horrendous, particularly if you are on your own.

“People may find it trivial but it is of real concern and he needs to be caught.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police are appealing for information following a string of incidents where a man indecently exposed himself.

“Officers have been called to a number of incidents in the Belfairs Woods area, Leigh, since July, with the most recent taking place on November 29.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC David Lindsey at Southend Police Station at david.lindsey@essex.pnn.police.uk or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.