OUR picture shows the anonymous-looking bungalows where a family came to enjoy a holiday in the tranquillity of the Isle of Wight.

The peace and quiet of Freshwater attracts thousands of visitors a year.

But, for one 14-year-old girl staying with her friend's relatives, the Island break turned into a nightmare as she became the latest victim of a serial pervert who prowls the area entering youngsters' bedrooms in caravans and holiday homes.

Luckily the terrified teenager awoke before the intruder could do more than touch her leg. The incident is being treated as indecent assault.

Detectives are increasingly concerned that the man's next target might not be so fortunate.

Police believe he is responsible for three other similar attacks on young females since September.

A dozen officers have been assigned to snare the man who entered the single-storey chalet at Longbeach, Colwell Chine, through sliding patio doors at 2am on Monday.

He crept past a girl sleeping on the sofa in the lounge before making his way to the bedroom where his victim and her friend were dozing.

The prowler crouched next to her and indecently assaulted the girl before calmly walking back out through the patio doors without waking any other member of the household.

Just 80 minutes later and less than a mile away, a 17-year-old girl awoke to find the man lifting the window of a mobile home at Mountfield Holiday Park in Norton Green.

Detective Sergeant David Pilbeam said: "He could strike again and next time it could be much more serious so we need to catch him as soon as possible. We suspect he is local to Freshwater or Yarmouth because all the attacks took place in the area.

"He is calm and calculated because he did not run off but merely walked out of the chalet.

"We urge people to lock their doors and windows at night and inform us if they see anyone walking about in the early hours."

Mr Pilbeam said it was likely that the man was spent time choosing his victims because the girl at Longbeach was in the one holiday flat containing only girls and their parents.

The pervert is believed to be using the beach as an escape route.

The attacks are being linked with two incidents at Brambles Chine Holiday Park, just half a mile along the coast, in May and September.

Longbeach owner Marjorie Sheath said: "It is very unfortunate that this has happened but I am pleased that the police are urging everyone to be vigilant.

"This is something that rarely happens in this extremely pleasant and quiet resort," she said.

"Most of the people come every year and I cannot see that changing because of what is hopefully an isolated incident.

"I do not think it will deter holiday-makers but I am very sorry for the family of the girl involved."

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