DETECTIVES are hunting a man who has been exposing himself to women in East Lancashire over a six year period.

The flasher is thought to be responsible for 13 similar incidents all reported to police since 2011.

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All the complaints involve a man exposing himself to women from the street after spotting them inside their homes with the lights on and curtains open.

Officers said the first offences were reported in 2011 and took place in Oswaldtwistle and on Lime Road in Accrington.

They were followed by a further incident which took place in 2012 in Knuzden.

Then in 2013 there were six reported offences which all took place in Accrington on Kings Road, Owen Street, Devonshire Street, Hereford Close and Gloucester Avenue.

There were a further three incidents reported in 2014, one which took place in Oswaldtwistle and two which took place in Accrington on Lemonius Street and Devonshire Street.

An appeal for information was issued by police at the time but no similar offences were reported until last week.

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The most recent incident happened on Thursday, March 9 when a man approached the front of a house in Winchester Avenue, Accrington and flashed shortly before 10.30pm.

Police patrols have now been stepped up in the Accrington area to provide reassurance to the local community and to deter any further offences.

Officers are appealing for anyone with any information about these incidents to come forward.

DI Tim McDermott, investigating, said: “While these offences are concerning and distressing for the victims, the man has always run away once he has been seen and has never made any attempt to speak with or make contact with the victims.

"We would take this opportunity to advise local residents to remain vigilant and ensure their curtains or blinds are closed at night time.

"While we cannot be certain that one man is responsible for all of the offences, their similarity is so striking that we believe they are likely to be linked. "These offences are committed after dark so it’s very difficult for victims to provide us with a description.

"I am appealing to the public to come forward with any information they may have.

“We would particularly like to hear from anyone who saw a man walking in the Winchester Avenue area at around 10.30pm last Thursday.

"Even if the person you suspect is someone you know I would urge you to get in touch with us so that we can protect the public and help whoever is responsible to address their behaviour."

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log 1643 of March 9th.