POLICE have made a breakthrough in investigating the spate of indecent exposures in Swindon, today issuing an e-fit picture of someone they want to speak to.

The release of the picture comes after two 18-year-old women were walking a dog along the canal footpath from Wichelstowe towards the rear of the John Lewis store at Mannington, West Swindon, when a man exposed himself.

The women called the police immediately at about 6pm on May 25 and carried on towards John Lewis.

Officers carried out a search but the man had left the area.

He was described as aged in his late 20s to early 30s, about 5ft 9ins tall of average to skinny build and Asian.

The suspect had black hair and was wearing a black jacket with the collar pulled up and dark blue jeans.

Officers believe he may also be responsible for a number of other incidents of indecent exposure in the town in the past three months and have released the e-fit in an attempt to find anyone who may recognise the man.

PC Jess Sowden said: “The victims in some of the more recent incidents have described a similar suspect, but unfortunately, they have not been able to give a detailed enough description for an e-fit to be completed.

"We are therefore circulating this e-fit in the hope that someone may know who he is, and be able to help us with our investigations.”

Other disturbing incidents recently include a scarf-wearing flasher outside Abbey Meads Community Primary School in April, who exposed himself to a young girl walking home.

The girl was walking towards the footbridge that goes from Abbey Meads to St Andrews Ridge across Thamesdown Drive when a man emerged from the bushes on the near side of the bridge.

He disguised his face with a red scarf wound round his head with only his eyes visible, wasn’t wearing a top and his trousers were round his ankles.

If you recognise this man, please call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.