A WOMAN was subjected to an "unpleasant and frightening" incident, when a man performed a lewd act in front of her as she walked through a secluded part of Poole.

Police are investigating the indecent exposure, which took place on Saturday afternoon along a quiet section of The Avenue.

The shocked victim, a local woman in her twenties, was walking in the direction of the beach when she was passed by a man

When she turned around he was performing a lewd act in front of her.

Police Constable Ryan Jackson, of Poole police, said: "This was an unpleasant and frightening incident for the victim.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area and either witnessed the incident or saw a man matching the description given to please contact Dorset Police.

“I would also ask any motorists who were travelling near to The Avenue between 2.55pm and 3.10pm to please check their dashcam footage and contact me if they find anything that may be relevant to my investigation.”

The suspect is described as white, aged in his early 50s, six feet two inches tall, of stocky build and with short hair that was longer on top with a fringe covering his forehead. He wore a red faded T-shirt and khaki-coloured shorts.