By Becky Procter

SPECIALLY trained police have been drafted in to interview children after several reports of a man acting suspiciously in Church Hill.

Police have been speaking to residents about a number of incidents which have occurred since the middle of June.

Mum-of-three Lisa Parkes, of Cleeve Close, told the Advertiser the man - who had been seen in bushes near Moons Moat First School - had made attempts to grab her six-year-old son.

The latest incident she reported to police was at about 8pm on Thursday when her son ran in from the garden shouting the man was watching him.

Growing concern for the children's safety has prompted some of the single mums in the street to move in together because they do not want to be alone.

Ms Parkes said: "I haven't slept properly for 12 weeks.

''I was woken up again at 4am this morning by my son screaming out 'the man's coming to get me'.

"He has also become very clingy and tearful, he won't let me out of his sight. He used to be a happy-go-lucky boy.

''It's been a living nightmare and I don't know how much more I can cope with."

DI Steve Cullen, of Redditch Police, said: "We have been speaking to residents in and around the Church Hill area regarding a man who has been acting suspiciously.

"These matters are always treated very seriously by the police and, in response to these concerns, we have increased the number of officers patrolling the area and our inquiries are continuing to identify and arrest this man.

"Specially trained officers will be speaking to families and children regarding this individual."

He added: "This is an on-going investigation and we are seeking to establish any offences that may have been committed by a man described as white, in his 50s, about 5ft 10ins tall, of medium to large build, with grey or possibly brown hair, who often wears T-shirts."

DI Cullen appealed for anyone else who may have seen a man behaving suspiciously fitting the description to contact police.

He said: "I would ask the residents of Cleeve Close to call 999 if they see this man again and the call will be treated as a matter of urgency."