Police are appealing for public assistance after an eight-year-old girl was approached by a man on the Central Coast over the weekend.
About 11am (Saturday 10 December 2016), the eight-year-old girl was walking to cross the road on Koowong Avenue, Gwandalan, when she felt someone was behind her.
The girl has told police she believed the man was about to kiss her.
The girl walked away and notified her parents of the incident at home.
Police from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command were notified and commenced investigations.
Police would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist with inquiries.
He is described as being aged between 70 and 80-years-old, approximately 165cm-170cm tall with a white moustache, white wavy hair, and hazel eyes.
He was last seen wearing a white/green striped shirt with a green pocket, brown shorts and blue joggers.
He was also seen standing near a white Hyundai.
Anyone with information to assist police should call Crime Stoppers.
The incident has again prompted police to encourage parents to discuss the ‘Safe People, Safe Places’ messages with their children, including;
- Make sure your parents or another adult you know knows where you are at all times.
- Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. Walk near busier roads and streets or use paths where there are lots of people.
- Know where safe places are – a shop, service station, police station, library or school. If you are ever frightened, you should go to one of these places and ask them to call the police.
- Learn about safe adults you can look for and talk to if you need help – police officers, teachers at school, adults you know and trust.
- Don’t talk to people you don’t know and never get into a car with someone you don’t know. If a car stops on the side of the road and you don’t know the person inside, do not stop.
- If you are scared and can use a phone, call 000 and tell them you are scared.
- If someone tries to grab you, yell out, ‘Go away, I don’t know you’. This lets other people know you have been approached by someone you don’t know.