A man reportedly pulled his trousers down before performing an indecent act in front of children outside a fish and chip shop. The children's mother has spoken of her shock following the alleged incident on Monday (March 9).

She said the man had "one arm on his car and his hand touching himself" while the kids stood outside the chippy on College Road, Birmingham, at around 6pm. The 39-year-old mum, who wished not to be named, called police after the man "completely exposed himself", leaving her family shaken. Her daughter, 15, and 21-year-old son provided a description of the offender to officers, and an investigation has now been launched.

As reported by Birmingham Live, the mum explained: "My 15-year-old daughter and son were going to the to the chippy in College Road. When they went there was a man leaning against a car, standing looking at the road, masturbating himself.

"The car was parked outside the chippy where there’s a bit of waste ground. A lot of people park there. The car was facing the chippy and he had his car door open. He said: 'I have got to do this. I am diabetic'.

"Both my kids are autistic and didn’t understand. My daughter then searched it on her phone. I’m just shocked. It’s not what you expect when you go to the chip shop. Somebody was bound to see him."

The woman added that there are two schools near the scene of the incident. Given the time of day, it was likely that other children were in the area at the time.

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She added: "The police came out and spoke to both of my kids. They have also been in the chippy shop to ask for their CCTV. It does make me think what if my daughter had gone on her own what would have happened."

In a warning online, the mother wrote: "Please be mindful if your kids are around that general area of an evening." Local police are aware of the incident and are carrying out enquiries to track down the offender.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “We are investigating a report of exposure on College Road, Kingstanding, around 6pm on Monday, March 9. Officers are following a number of enquiries and remain in contact with the person who reported this.

"Anyone with information should call us on 101 or speak to us via Live Chat on our website, quoting crime reference 20/173450/26."