A FLASHER got more than he bargained for when he was tackled by an off-duty police Inspector.

Central Sector Inspector Madge Lynch was out walking her dogs in Stratton Woods, close to Kingsdown Crematorium, on Thursday when she noticed a man acting suspiciously in the area.

At about 5.30pm the 23-year-old man walked past Insp Lynch, beagle cross Sam and Jack Russell Buca, and exposed himself.

Quick-thinking Insp Lynch, pictured, arrested the man and locked him in her car until her colleagues arrived.

He was later given a caution for indecent exposure.

Now Insp Lynch is warning fellow dog walkers to carry mobile phones when walking in secluded areas.

Insp Lynch said: “It was in the middle of the woods and there was nobody else about.

“I noticed this man and I had a real instinct that something wasn’t quite right. I thought he was either going to attack me or expose himself and clearly I was right.

“When I thought he looked a bit dodgy I rang my daughter, but then he walked past me and arranged himself before turning and exposing himself.

“I went up to him and grabbed hold of his arm and arrested him.

“He tried to get away, but then I got a better hold of him and he calmed down.

“He said he was sorry and I formally arrested him then.

“I took him to my car which was not far away and I locked him in until my colleagues arrived.

“The man formally admitted what he had done and he was given a caution for indecent exposure.”

Police have reported a number of flashing incidents so far this year.

Last month, a man exposed himself to a teenage girl in a field next to Stacey’s Lane, in Wanborough.

In March a man exposed himself to a woman in an alleyway off Croft Road, Old Town.

Insp Lynch advised members of the public to call the police if they see anyone acting suspiciously in any of the town’s beauty spots.

“Summer is here and it is normally when we see an increase in the number of indecent exposures,” she said.

“What I want to get across is that if you are out on your own walking your dog take a mobile phone with you.

“If you see someone and you don’t feel comfortable, stop your walk and go back to your car.

“However, if anyone does expose themself to you don’t tackle them, call the police.”