York police are hunting a middle-aged man who has been taking photographs of girls in York city centre.

They say they are suspicious of the man's motives - and have urged anyone who spots a man behaving strangely to contact them.

They also want anyone, especially young girls, approached by a stranger to have their photo taken to get in touch.

DI Phil Metcalfe, of York CID, said officers had first been alerted to the man's sinister behaviour after he approached a group of teenage girls at York Railway Station.

"He persuaded them to have their pictures taken, saying he wanted to join a golf club that would only take family men and he wished to pass off the picture as proof he had children," said DI Metcalfe.

"He then paid four girls £3 each. This is certainly very unusual behaviour and we can only guess at the motives of this man."

An hour later an American tourist complained to the police that a man had come up to her in the city centre and asked to take a picture of her daughter.

And then a group of girls from Milthorpe School told police they had been asked for directions to the nearest passport photo booth by a man as they were sitting in King's Square.

They suggested he tried Woolworth's and when they later went to the store themselves, the man asked them to explain how the equipment worked, before persuading them to have their photographs taken.

"We are obviously very concerned at what may lie behind this man's actions," said DI Metcalfe.

"We would urge anyone who has been contacted by this man to contact us."

The man is described as being 6ft tall and of smart appearance, he was wearing a grey suit with a shirt and tie.

He has salt and pepper coloured, wavy grey hair, which is thinning on top.

Anyone who has been approached by the man or has any information about him should contact PC Kate Jones on (01904) 669520 or York crime desk on (01904) 631321.

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