Man ’resembling Vladimir Putin’ sought by police after indecent exposure on UK path

An e-fit image of a man suspected of flashing at a woman as she walked on a path near Sevenoaks, Kent, has been released by police and many have commented on his likeness to the Russian leader

A flasher is being hunted by UK police with an image of the suspect going viral due to its "similarity to Vladimir Putin".

No sooner had Kent Police released the e-fit, people began to compare it to the warmongering Russian president. Cops believe the man in the images may be able to help them with their inquiries. The suspect in the computer-generated image is wanted in connection with an indecent exposure near Sevenoaks, Kent, on Monday November 4.

The incident happened as a woman was walking towards Shoreham along the Darenth Valley Path near Mill Lane between 12.30 and 12.46pm. Detectives said that the man did not say anything as he walked past. A Kent Police spokesperson said: Officers investigating a report of indecent exposure near Sevenoaks have released a computer generated image of a man they would like to speak to.

"The incident happened as a woman was walking towards Shoreham along the Darenth Valley Path near Mill Lane, between 12.30 and 12.46pm on Monday 4 November 2024. A man who was walking towards the victim is alleged to have exposed himself before continuing past without speaking.

The man is believed to be aged in his 40s. "A man who was walking towards the victim is alleged to have exposed himself before continuing past without speaking. The suspect is described as being white, aged between 40 and 50 years old and about 5ft 10ins. He was wearing a camouflage-style jacket and dark green trousers," continued a statement from the police. 

"Our investigators have been completing a number of enquiries including the examination of CCTV in the area. The victim has now been able to assist them with producing a computer generated image of the man she saw." 

But after posting the appeal on Facebook, several people said they saw the likeness to the Russian dictator. One posted a meme of the politician laughing and one woman replied: "My 1st thought too," to which another added: "And mine!" Another added with a laughing emoji: "Yes - I wish I could be of more help though. These men."