A dogwalker has urged residents to be alert after a man exposed himself and performed a sex act in a park.

The 23-year-old woman from Basildon, who asked not to be named, said she was horrified when the man jumped out of the bushes in Swan Mead Park, off Church Road, Basildon, and exposed himself so decided to film him. 

She said: “I was more angry then anything obviously he’s it was shocking you don’t expect to turn around and see that.

"But its made me angry that he thought it was ok to do that in a park right next to a school so I thought I'm getting my phone out to film you.

"I knew I was a safe enough distance away from him in case it angered him that I would be able to get away should I need to."

The man spotted her videoing him and, after hurling abuse at her, ran away.

It is believed to be linked to similar incidents in the same area.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We are appealing for information following a number of incidents in and around the Swan Mead Park area during which a man has exposed himself to members of the public.

“The suspect is described as white with dark hair and has been seen wearing dark blue jeans. Basildon Community Policing Team would like to reassure residents that these reports are being taken seriously and that patrols in the area have been stepped up in response.”

Call 101 or Crimestoppers.