A MAN was caught trying to take photographs on his mobile phone of a young girl in the toilets of a supermarket in Suffolk, police have said.

Officers are investigating the incident which happened at the Tesco store in Grange Westwood Way, Beccles at around noon on Friday.

A man went into the ladies toilets and appeared to be taking photographs with his mobile phone under the cubicle partition.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said a 22-year-old woman had taken her young daughter to use the toilets.

Moments after entering a cubicle the woman noticed a hand under the partition holding a mobile phone with a camera lens pointing upwards.

She pushed the phone away and the hand pulled back.

The woman left the cubicle and warned waiting customers there was someone trying to take pictures.

She then left the toilets and told her partner what had happened.

Another customer then pointed out a man leaving the toilets and the 22-year-old went to report the incident to security staff. The man was led away but then managed to escape security by claiming he felt unwell and running away.

The police spokeswoman said officers are trying to trace the man, described as white, in his mid-20s to mid-30s. He is around 5ft 5ins, of slight build with short, straight brown hair.

He was wearing jeans, trainers and a beige-coloured t-shirt with a large red design on the front.

Anyone who was in the store around noon on Friday, or anyone with information about who the man is should call Pc 1082 Stott at the Crime Investigation Bureau on 01473 613500.