POLICE are appealing for help in tracing a man who appears to be loitering around a secondary school.

Officers are keen to speak with a man who gave the name George to a 12-year-old who he approached and asked the lad if he wanted to "play games of dares".

The first incident happened outside the town hall in Ingrave Road, Brentwood, shortly after 4pm on Friday, June 15.

The schoolboy was approached by the man who asked him whether he wanted to play dares.

The boy refused and walked home while the man walked towards the town centre.

The same boy saw the man again on July 9 at 3.30pm at the same location.

The man is described as white, in his 30s, about 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build, withshort, dark hair and he has a red lumpy face.

PC James Bloomfield said: "This man appears to be loitering around Brentwood County High School and possibly focusing his interactions with students walking home from there.

"We need to identify this man to ascertain his intentions; they may be innocent or they may be sinister.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact investigating officers at Ongar police station on 101.