A PERVERTED van driver flashed and pleasured himself in front of a disgusted pensioner.

The 69-year-old victim was targeted after a man indecently exposed himself in front of her in Rochford at 10am on Monday morning..

The pensioner was walking along Lascelles Gardens, Ashingdon when a man in a small white van stopped and beckoned her over.

Believing that he was going to ask for directions she approached to help him, however she instead found him exposing and touching himself, before making a lewd comment directed at her.

A spokesman from Essex Police said: “We are investigating reports a man indecently exposed himself to a woman in Lascelles Gardens, Rochford, sometime between 10am and 10.30am on Monday, August 6.

“The 69-year-old victim walked past a small white van and a man inside called out to her then indecently exposed himself.”

The victim’s granddaughter later took to social media to thank kind hearted residents who left their houses to check if her grandmother was okay in the aftermath and walked her to a friend’s house to ensure her safety.

He is described as being white, aged around 30 years of age, with dark hair and facial hair. At the time of the incident he was seen wearing a blue polo shirt and dark trousers.

Councillor Arthur Williams, a Lascelles Gardens resident and the councillor responsible for community safety, said: “I have never seen or heard from residents about an alleged incident such as this being an issue in the area before.

“I have lived here for forty years and it is not something you would expect in a quiet street.

“It is obviously a very upsetting incident and we will be following further police enquiries.”

Witnesses, or anybody with information, is asked to contact the police by calling 101, quoting crime reference number 42/113003/18. Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.