A POLICE force is stepping up efforts to catch sex pests on Teesside.

Crime analysts working with Cleveland Police are plotting an emerging crime pattern, which could reveal two flashers who have been menacing girls and women at Billingham.

The move was revealed as police appealed to women to be on the alert.

Patrols, both plain clothes and uniformed officers, are being stepped up in a bid to catch the menaces exposing themselves at the Billingham Ecology Park, the John Whitehead Park, and in the vicinity of Station Road.

The extra patrols and the introduction of stop-checks are part of an action plan being refined by analysts, who are suggesting likely dates and times.

Sergeant Terry Wood, of Billingham police, said: "Since the beginning of the year, there have been seven incidents spread out between those areas of Billingham.

"There have been three in the last few weeks, so obviously we have been targeting areas with extra patrols in an attempt to catch those responsible.

"We are looking at what the analysts tell us. There is the possibility it is just one person, but some of the descriptions we have been given differ, so there is the possibility of two different people.''

Sgt Wood said the force was using all its resources, including the community police team and officers on normal shift patrols, to catch the men.

He said: "Our crime analysis, along with other information, has been applied to developing an action plant in order to tackle the problem.''

Police have gone back to re-interview the victims to see if there is any extra information which might be obtained.

Sgt Wood said: "We would ask anyone visiting the areas mentioned to be extra-vigilant, and report anything suspicious to Billingham police station.''

Anyone with information is asked to ring police on (01642) 302426.