SHOPPERS should be wary of a man surreptitiously taking photographs up women's skirts in Bolton town centre, police say.

The man was spied in New Look in Hotel Street on November 12 taking pictures with a smart phone.

On hearing about this incident, staff in a number of shops in the town centre have told police a man had been acting suspiciously over the past week.

Police described the act as an "outrageous" invasion of privacy and insisted that Bolton town centre is a safe place to visit.

Officers, shop security and CCTV control rooms now have the description of the man and will be scrutinising footage in an attempt to trace him.

The man is described as white, between 6ft and 6ft 2in tall with a stocky build and shaved head.

He spoke with a southern accent and was usually carrying a drinks bottle.

Det Sgt Patrick Wood said: “To some this might seem like a relatively harmless crime, but I can assure you that his behaviour is an outrageous invasion of privacy and completely indecent.

“We are heading into the busiest shopping period of the year and we can reassure the community that the town centre is a safe place to come.

"Over the next few weeks we will be launching our Christmas policing operation which will see an increase in visible policing in the town centre. Until then the public can rest assured that we are actively looking for this man.

“We also remain open minded that there may be other victims out there and I urge them to come forward and speak to us.”

Anyone with information can ring 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.