Two horrified mums are warning other parents to beware after a man asked their children to perform a sex act on him.

It was the first time Alison Seager’s 10-year-old daughter had been allowed out with her friend on their own.

Mrs Seager is furious as CCTV cameras in the area were not working at the time of the incident, which was about 5pm last Sunday.

The children had been at Beachfields, Sheerness, and, as they were walking past nearby Clarence Row, they were approached by a man who asked them to touch him indecently in return for some money.

The girls said no and walked away from the man but stayed and carried on playing for a bit.

He was still hanging around when they left.

Mrs Seager, from Halfway, only found out what had happened after the girls went home and asked what the sex act was.

It has been reported to police who took a description and searched the area.

Mrs Seager, 37, said she wanted to highlight it as she is worried another child might accept the offer of money.

She said: “It’s awful and scary and I think other parents have a right to know what happened.

“I think it’s disgraceful the cameras are not working.

“Parents could send their children down there thinking there are cameras.”

The mother of the other girl, who didn’t want to be named, said: “Other parents should be aware that there are perverts out there.

“It’s really sad. The first time the girls had been out by themselves.

“We gave them two hours and for that to happen is quite alarming.

“I don’t want to over-react but it is very worrying.”

A spokesman for Swale council said the camera at Beachfields is not working as the antenna which receives the pictures has been vandalised three times in the past month.

There are 24 cameras in Sheerness and two others are also not working. One has been vandalised and the other has no power supply. The spokesman said all three will be fixed soon.

• The man was in his 50s, with grey hair and glasses and wearing a suit and a flat cap.

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Neighbourhood Inspector Noel Stanley said: “After the incident was reported we visited the family, took a description of the man and conducted a search of the area.

“The description has been circulated among officers to see if anyone recognises the man described.

“I would ask the public and parents to be vigilant, but I would also reassure them that this appears to be an isolated incident.

“The girls involved were not physically harmed and we have received no similar reports of such behaviour.

“However, if anyone notices anything suspicious or has any concerns regarding similar incidents I would urge them to contact police.”