Police are investigating after a Maldon schoolgirl reported being followed by a man in a car on Friday (3 December).

A spokesperson for Essex Police said the teenage girl, from Plume Academy, was walking in the Fambridge Road area of Maldon shortly after 7pm on Friday (3 December) when she noticed the man following her.

The spokesperson said: "A teenage girl reported being followed by a man in a black car close to the junction with Limebrook Way.

"Thankfully, the girl was able to leave the area and return home."

Carl Wakefield, principal of Plume Academy, alerted parents to the "very concerning incident" in a letter.

He said the man is believed to have been dressed in black and wearing a balaclava.

He added: "Our student had to hide in some bushes until the car drove off and was understandably extremely distressed by the incident."

He said he would be sharing the letter with the "town and area's primary headteachers, as well as the mid Essex headteachers' group".

The incident was reported to the police by the girl's parents.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has dashcam footage of the road at the time is asked to contact Essex Police quoting incident 1063 on Friday 3 December.

You can submit a report online here or use the Live Chat button to speak to an online operation between 7am and 11pm.

Alternatively, you can call 101.

Information can also be given to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.