POLICE were called out to search for a man alleged to be flagging down passing cars and asking for money last night.

Residents have reported that the man hails down cars, asking for money for petrol so that he can transport his child to hospital.

When motorists have offered to drive the man and his child to the hospital, he has refused.

Reports have also stated that the man does not have a child in the car and actually there is another man in the vehicle.

Laura Webb, 27, from Malmesbury, said she encountered the man recently.

She said: “He looked in his 50s and was wearing all black from what I could make out and a leather jacket.

“I was heading towards Malmesbury from Minety and his silver car was parked on the verge to my right with the hazards on.

“He walked into the road waving his arms about, obviously trying to get me to stop as I was coming towards him.

“But I carried on and looked in my rear view mirror and he was still waving in the middle of the road trying to get me to stop.

“I had no intentions of stopping as I have read on here quite a lot recently about men pretending they have broken down to get you to stop then threatening you for money.

“I just hope the police catch these people as one day someone might not know not to stop and get seriously hurt.”

Renee Tuck from Luckington said: “He has been doing this for over a year now and needs to be stopped before someone vulnerable is hurt.

“A friend of ours, Clive, stopped near the man after hearing that he had tried to stop some other female friends of ours who reported him to the police.

“Clive offered to help him get petrol as this had been what he said he needed but he claimed he didn't need any help from Clive, [who is] a big strong lad.

“They were also in this exact same gateway last year but left when my husband came along with the tractor.

“I can’t believe the police haven’t managed to catch up with him. People bump into him often.”

A spokesperson for the police said: “We received a report at 11.38pm yesterday (11) reporting a man acting suspiciously on the B4040 at Charlton, Malmesbury.

“The man is believed to have broken down but appeared to be stepping out in to the road and flagging people down.

“Police attended the scene but were unable to locate him.

“He is described as Asian and had a silver old style Peugeot vehicle.

“Anyone wishing to report any suspicious behaviour should call police on 101.”