Cops are hunting a suspected pervert after a quick-thinking schoolboy took a picture of the man – on his mobile phone.
The two 12-year-old lads were approached by the man as they played in a park but became suspicious when he began to act strangely.
One of the lads managed to get a secret snap of the man using his camera phone when he started asking the boys “inappropriate questions”.
Police have released the mobile phone image of the grinning suspect in a bid to track him down.
Detective Sergeant Neil Kirkpatrick, of West Midlands Police, said: “The boys were playing on the park when they were approached by this man who allegedly engaged them in an inappropriate conversation.
“We would like to reassure the public that we believe this was an isolated incident and the boys were physically unharmed.
“Extensive work has been undertaken by officers to identify the man in the images but officers are now extending their enquiries to those outside the immediate area.”
The boys were approached as they played football at the Bleakhill Recreation Ground in Erdington, West Mids., on August 6 this year.
Patrols in the area were stepped up after the incident was reported to cops.
Anyone with information on the identity of the man is asked to contact West Midlands Police on 101.
