POLICE have stepped up their efforts to catch a notorious flasher terrorising visitors to a popular park.

Officers have been carrying out a high profile operation in and around Belfairs Wood, in Leigh, after increased reports of a man exposing himself to women.

Notices have been placed on trees and fences warning people that a police operation is underway, in a bid to both deter the offender and reassure dog walkers and other park users.

A mobile police station has also been parked near the bowls green so that increased patrols can use it as a base.

Councillor Stephen Aylen said police have done “an excellent job” in responding to residents’ concerns.

He said: “They have been out there doing patrols for the last couple of months. This time they have really ramped it up in an effort to catch him.”

Mr Aylen said there are now two men known as the ‘Belfairs Flasher’- one is young and one is old. He said: “This has been going on for about six or seven months now. Normally it happens in the school holidays.

“The park rangers have also been out trying to catch him. The park is a big area full of people and this time of year it’s becoming popular.”

PCSO Stephen Hollands took to Twitter to publicise the high-profile operation.

He said: “Officers in Belfairs today stepping up the patrols for ‘flasher’. If you see him, don’t put yourself at risk - call 101.”

Mr Hollands added: “PCSOs on patrols in Belfairs Wood. There have been reports of a flasher in the area by Woodlands Park & the nature reserve.”

Insp Bill Potter, of the Southend community policing team, said the operation was about “finding a balance” between deterring the flasher and reassuring members of the public.

Anyone with information should call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.