UNIFORMED police and detectives are keeping a watch on a Newport sch-ool after a man exposed himself to pupils and followed a girl home. There have been two incidents of exposure to a girl, carried out by a man thought to be in his 30s.

He is also being linked with another incident during which a third girl was followed home. All incidents three happened this week.

Parents are being warned to be vigilant and pupils have been warned about the danger from strangers.

All three cases involved girls aged between eight and 11 years from Monnow Junior School, Bettws. Police are stepping up patrols around the school in a bid to catch the culprit.

Pc Eddie Evans, the crime and disorder officer at Bettws police station, said: "We want to let parents know what has happened and to tell them to keep an eye on their children going to and from school."

Police do not have a description of the man but say he has been hanging around at the bottom of the school playing fields between 3.30pm and 4pm.

Pc Evans added: "I would appeal to anyone with information to contact Bettws police station on 01633 854847." The school's headteacher Meryl Echeverry said: "We are extremely concerned that any of our children are put in danger or at risk. All teachers have been informed and all pupils have been spoken to by their teachers. We have also had an assembly in which we told the children not to talk to strangers.

"We also told them that if they feel they are being followed and are closer to school than home, then come back to school because we have staff here until between 6.30pm and 7pm."

Mrs Echeverry added: "The three girls involved in the incidents are fine. "Our behaviour co-ordinators have spoken to them to see if they have any needs."