A TEENAGE girl was followed by a man in a car in a worrying incident in Dorchester.

Police have reassured the public and said they were stepping up patrols following the incident which they described as “suspicious”.

Officers said at around 8.40am on Wednesday of this week a 14-year-old girl walked past Poundbury Village Stores along Cambridge Walk when she was approached by a black saloon or hatchback car with tinted windows, which was parked facing the bollards.

The driver of the car made “sexually-motivated comments” towards her as she continued onto Cambridge Road, police said.

As she approached Baynard’s Road, she noticed the car had seemingly followed her from Poundbury to Cambridge Road where it parked up. After a short time the man drove away.

It is understood the presence of a passer-by prompted him to leave. 

The driver is described as a white man, aged in his late 20s or early 30s, with a shaven oval head and stubble.

Dorchester Neighbourhood Inspector Neil Wood said: “This incident has understandably left the victim shaken. We take such reports very seriously and officers are making active enquiries in order to establish what happened.

“The victim believes that the man may have been spooked by a passing member of the public, so I am appealing to that person or anyone who was in the area at the time and noticed anything suspicious to please contact me.”

Insp Wood added: “We would like to reassure the public that such reports are extremely rare, however we would urge people to report any suspicious incidents or vehicle registration details to us.

“The local Neighbourhood Policing Team has increased patrols and can be contacted with any concerns.”

Town councillor for the area Trevor Jones said there would have been people around the area at the time, including children going to school, so hopefully they may be able to give police information to help officers track down the driver.

He added: “I’ve never known anything like this happen in this part of town, it’s very unusual.

“It’s in all of our interests to catch the culprit to prevent a repetition.”

Witnesses and anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101 quoting occurrence number 55170193004.