PARENTS have been warned to keep an eye out for a "suspicious character" after a man exposed himself near a primary school.
Castle Hill and Fairchildes primary schools and Addington High sent warning text messages to parents after the incident shortly after noon last Friday.
The incident in Underwood, Fieldway, was reported to police but the Advertiser understands no arrests have been made.
Mother Claire Addis called police after seeing the man near her home.
She said: "I was in my car about to go up to the parade when I noticed him; he was looking a bit strange. As I drove out of the car park he just did it so quickly.
"I told the police because my girls go there [Castle Hill] and I know a number of children walk home."
Ms Addis said the man was wearing a green camouflage hoodie, looked in his twenties and was "pale".
She quickly met up with her boyfriend and they drove around the area to see if they could identify the stranger, but did not find him again.
"It is the sort of thing I may be able to laugh about, but I am more concerned about my girls," she said.
"They are going to high school this year and it really frightens me. We do not know what he is capable of. I was going to start letting them go the shops and back but now I am not going to."
Ms Addis added police had told her there was little they could do, as it was the first report of its kind.
Ros Sandell, head teacher of Fairchildes, said the school had sent out the text message after being contacted by Addington High.
Castle Hill and Addington High did not respond to a request for comment.
A police spokesman said: "Officers from Croydon CID are investigating. No arrests have been made at this stage.
"The local SNTs in New Addington and Fieldway have also been made aware and have been carrying out patrols in the area.
"Anyone with information should call Croydon Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If you see anyone acting suspiciously or in a similar way, call 999 immediately."