POLICE are investigating a report of a man acting suspiciously in East Cowes last night (Tuesday).
Officers are making enquiries after a 12-year-old girl said she had been followed on foot by a man she did not know.
The girl noticed him walking behind her in the York Avenue area at around 5.30pm, although there is no evidence any criminal offences took place or were intended.
The man was described as white, 5ft 4ins tall and of large build.
He was wearing a blue hooded top, blue jeans, scruffy white trainers and glasses with oblong tinted lenses
The man appeared to have a chain and a piece of rope hanging from the pockets of his jeans.
Police said they could not rule out the possibility of an innocent explanation, so officers are appealing for the man to contact them.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: "Initial enquiries suggest the man did not speak to the girl and did not touch her. "Nevertheless, the report is being treated seriously and we are pursuing several lines of enquiry to identify the man, whose apparent behaviour has upset and alarmed a young girl.
"She and her family acted correctly by raising their concerns with the police swiftly.
"We always encourage people to report information to the authorities if they are worried about the welfare of a child."
Following the report, which is not linked to any other incident, police are carrying out extra patrols in the area to provide reassurance to the community.
The man or anyone with information can contact police by phoning 101.
Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
Reporter: mattw@iwcpmail.co.uk