A SERIES of disturbing indecent exposure incidents has prompted the police to release warnings to anyone walking home in the town.

Victims have reported the obscene behaviour, which has all occurred in the last two weeks.

Three of the incidents are related, but officers are not ruling out the possibility that another two were also carried out by the same man.

On Sunday, September 12, two incidents were reported. The first was at Minden Close, Chineham, at 12.25pm and the second on a pathway near John Hunt of Everest Community School in Popley Way, Popley, Basingstoke, at 4pm.

The suspect is described as a white man, aged 30 to 40 years with short light brown or coloured/dyed hair, and on both occasions was wearing blue shorts.

The next incident was on Tuesday, September 14, on the pathway between Quilter Road and Brighton Hill Community College, Brighton Hill, at 11.30pm.

Another occurred on Wednesday, September 15, opposite the community college at 9.40pm and the final one happened on Friday, September 17, at Arun Court, London Street, Eastrop, at 11.59pm.

The description of the suspect in these incidents is of a white man, aged 50 to 60 years, wearing a dark woollen hat or balaclava, white shorts and a red T-shirt or red piece of clothing.

Chief Inspector Chris Brown said: "These kinds of incidents are luckily quite rare and we are keen to hear from anyone who has any information about them.

"It is possible that someone you know has been acting strangely recently, possibly even carrying a balaclava with them.

"However insignificant you may feel the information is, we would like to hear from you."

Officers have released a number of simple precautions for people's personal safety: - Plan a route - Don't walk home alone - If taking a regular route home, consider varying it - If you feel that you are being followed, cross the street several times to see if the person behind follows. Get a good look at them, get a description and go to the nearest police station or well-lit busy area such as a pub, petrol station or shop - If a vehicle stops, keep a distance when talking to the occupants. Be aware of people around you. If you are concerned, make a note of the vehicle details, the driver and any passengers - contact the police - Never accept a lift from someone you don't know.

Anyone with information about the exposure incidents is urged to contact Basingstoke police on 0845 045 45 45 or call the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.