POLICE in Thurrock have confirmed they are looking to an incident in Grays Shopping Mall earlier this month when it was reported a man approached an made contact with a young child, alarming her mother.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We are investigating after a woman reported a man approached and made physical contact with her child.

"It was reported a suspect had approached the woman and her daughter at The Works, in Grays, at around 2pm on Wednesday, 8 January.

"The suspect was described as aged in his 20s, with brown skin, of skinny build and around 5ft 3ins in height.

"He was wearing a North Face beanie hat, a black jumper with a white logo, blue jeans and white trainers.

"Our enquiries are ongoing.

"Anyone with information should contact us as soon as possible. Please cite reference 42/3464/25.

"You can let us know by submitting a report on ou r website where you can use our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

"Visit https://www.essex.police.uk/digital101to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively, you can call us on 101.

"If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on X, formerly Twitter, at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.