Warning over ‘taxi driver’ seen exposing himself while peering inside homes in Redland

A warning has been issued to parents by a secondary school in Redland after reports of a man seen exposing himself while peering through the windows of homes.

Police investigating the two reports of indecency in the Kensington Road area say in one instance the man left in a grey car thought to be one seen parked nearby with a door sticker similar to that those used by Uber drivers.

Aware that children use private hire vehicles to get to and from school, the neighbourhood team alerted Redland Green School, which in turn has this week issued a warning to parents to remain vigilant.

Avon and Somerset Police said the most recent incident happened on March 23, at around 12.40am. A passer-by called the force to report a man exposing himself while peering into a house window, before leaving in a grey car.

He was described as being aged between 40 and 50, of south Asian appearance, about 5ft 9ins tall and stocky with short black hair. He wore a navy blue padded body warmer.

Enquiries by officers suggest the vehicle he left in had been parked near the Kensington Arms, and had a door sticker similar to those used by Uber and other private hire vehicles.

Two months before, on January 25, police received a similar report from a woman who had seen a man of similar appearance looking in at her window at a similar time of night. On that occasion no vehicle was seen.

A police spokespersons said: “Being aware that some children use private hire vehicles to travel to and from school, the neighbourhood team contacted local schools as a safeguarding precaution.”

This week, Redland Green School deputy headteacher Hayden Southon sent an email entitled ‘safeguarding alert’ to parents.

It said: “Several reports have been received regarding a male observing females in the Kensington Road area of Bristol and subsequently arousing himself.

“It is reported that this individual is an Uber driver and has also approached individuals with the intention of transporting them in his vehicle.”

It continued: “Please be assured that we take all safeguarding issues extremely seriously and would like to take this opportunity to remind all students and parents to be vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour to the police and the school.”

Anyone with information about these incidents, should call police on 101 and give the reference 5222068697. Alternatively they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111.