A FLASHER who exposed himself near two schools has sparked fear among residents who have criticised police for failing to alert them to the pervert.

The man — dressed in a purple boiler suit — indecently exposed himself in broad daylight in Kilmacolm around the same time that pupils were making their way home on the afternoon of March 20.

But police didn't raise the alarm by issuing any public warning about the incident, which happened at the junction of Porterfield Road and Bridge of Weir Road at 3.15pm.

One village parent told the Telegraph: "It is dreadful. There are always loads of kids coming out of school and making their way through the village between 3pm and 4pm.

"God forbid they bumped into this guy and he did anything. It doesn't bear thinking about.

"Parents should definitely have been made aware that this pervert is on the loose, so they could make alternative arrangements for their children to get home."

Another parent said: "I wouldn't have let my son walk those streets alone if I'd known."

The flasher was also wearing a bobble hat and glasses and it is understood that police are now checking CCTV and speaking to residents in an attempt to trace him.

Another Kilmacolm local said: "It's really disturbing to think anybody could do this — especially when youngsters were about to start walking home from school.

"Families in the area are being extra-vigilant."

Constable Rebecca Daily of Greenock police said: "Officers have been making door-to-door enquiries to try and trace the person responsible and would appeal to anybody who has witnessed any similar incident, or knows anything that can help our investigation, to come forward and contact us.

"Anyone with information should contact Greenock Police Office via 101, quoting incident number 2184 of Friday 20 March 2018.

"Alternatively you can contact CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously."