A SUSPICIOUS camera man claiming to work for a modelling agency has been targeting young women and girls in the city.

Police are warning people to be vigilant after a number of reports of a man approaching teenage girls and young women asking to take their photographs.

The first incident took place in Castle Street at 4.30pm on March 12 and involved an 18-year-old woman.

There was a similar incident in Winchester Street at about 6.20pm on March 23, when a 17-year-old was approached by a man asking to take her photograph. He also offered her money for the pictures but the victim refused and walked away.

The following day, March 24, at about 1.15pm, a 20-year-old woman was approached by a man in Devizes Road who again said he worked for a modelling agency and made inappropriate comments about her appearance.

A similar incident took place on April 14 at about 10am and involved a 15-year-old girl who was approached by a man outside McDonald's in Winchester Street.

The man is described as white, in his late 40s or early 50s, clean shaven and smartly dressed.

PC Tracey Holloway, who is leading the investigation into all four incidents, said: "At no point did the man have a camera on him, although he did use the camera on his phone during one of the incidents. Each time, he has stated he is working for a modelling agency and usually requests that the victim goes somewhere with him for the photographs to be taken. He doesn't offer up any contact details.

"We are carrying out a thorough police investigation into these incidents and would like to remind members of the public to be extra vigilant when out and about.

"I would appeal for anybody who has either been approached by a man in similar circumstances, or who may have any information which may help police identify this man, to call 101 immediately."