A stepmum has pleaded for the public’s help after a teenage boy was chased by a man wearing a balaclava.

Anna Crouch’s stepson was chased around a housing estate in Pershore, prompting a police investigation.

Ms Crouch has urged parents to take extra steps to protect their children and asked anyone who may be able with the investigation to get in touch with the police.

She said: “I would recommend reporting anything suspicious to authorities and make sure kids have some form of alarm system when out.

“I'm not going to let these men keep running around Pershore in balaclavas chasing small 13-year-olds.

"We are all still struggling with what's happened."

READ MORE: Teenager 'shaken' after being chased by man in balaclava

Ms Crouch added that in the days following, her stepson had flashbacks of the incident in his sleep.

“The oldest is coping fine now but won’t go out after streetlights come on," she added.

“The youngest, aged nine, thinks men are going to rob us when we sleep.

"Our streets are ridiculously unsafe. Crime is getting so bad in Pershore, it's unreal."

The incident happened at around 9.50pm on Friday, October 21, in the Strawberry Place and Lucerne Avenue area of Pershore.

Ms Crouch said that a man, around 6ft tall and dressed all in black and a balaclava, jumped out of a bush and chased her stepson with a large weapon, possibly a bat.

West Mercia Police is investigating the incident and has urged anyone with information to come forward.

A police spokesperson said: "The boy was unharmed but very shaken by the incident.

"A safer neighbourhood officer has given advice and reassurance to the family and has walked around the area to understand the route taken by the boy.

"A follow-up visit has also been made."

Anyone who thinks they may be able to assist the police's investigation is asked to email the safer neighbourhood team pershorerural.snt@westmercia.police.uk quoting incident number 626i of 21 October.