Police appeal after man makes unwanted interaction with young girls on Chalkwell Esplanade

Police are appealing for help identifying a man in connection with an incident involving two girls on Chalkwell Esplanade, near Westcliff.

The unsettling interaction happened last month on Saturday 16 March, at around 3.30pm, a busy time on the popular seafront stretch that runs between Chalkwell train station and Crowstone Avenue.

The area is typically bustling with local families, dog walkers, joggers, and cyclists—particularly on a mild Saturday afternoon.

Officers were called following reports that a man had approached two girls and engaged in what police are describing as an “unwanted interaction”.

While specific details of the encounter have not been publicly released, police are treating the report seriously and are keen to speak to the man pictured in connection with their enquiries.

An Essex Police spokesperson said:

“We were called to reports of a man engaging in an unwanted interaction with two girls on Chalkwell Esplanade. If you know who he is or have any information please contact us as soon as possible.“

Police are urging anyone who recognises the man or who witnessed anything suspicious in the area at the time to come forward.

Information can be submitted directly via the Essex Police website, where their Live Chat service is available 24/7—just look for the chat icon in the bottom right corner of the homepage. Alternatively, you can call 101, quoting reference 42/35619/25.

People who may have been in the area are urged to also check their phone photos, dashcam, or helmet cam footage around the time of the incident in case it shows anything helpful. Even the smallest piece of information or footage could help police build a clearer picture of what happened.