A VAN driver made a lewd suggestion to a teenage girl walking in Colchester, asking her to get in his vehicle, police have said.

Essex Police are today investigating the attempted accosting, which happened in the Spruce Avenue area yesterday.

The 14-year-old told officers she was walking home from school at around 4.15pm when the male driver of a grey van approached her.

She refused his advances and made her way home where she told her parents.

A spokesman for the force said the teen was not hurt and no attempt was made to force her into the van.

The man is described as white and aged between 30 and 40.

He had short dark hair and the van he was driving had blacked out rear windows.

There was also a male passenger in the van. He is also described as white and of the same age.

Insp Jim White said: “Incidents of this nature are very rare however it was very upsetting for the teenage girl and we are exploring every avenue to investigate it further.

“High visibility patrols have been increased in the area and a PCSO will be visiting a local school to reassure students.”

Any witnesses or anyone with information about the man or the van are asked to contact Dc Andrea Ford at Colchester CID on 101.