Police are appealing for public assistance following reports of a child approach and obscene exposure incident at Cardiff South yesterday, NSW Police say.
About 9.05am today, a 14-year-old girl was on a walking track at Winding Creek, near Fifth Street, Cardiff South.
Police have been told an unknown man approached the girl from behind a bush and exposed himself.
The girl ran from the scene and informed a teacher, who alerted police.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command commenced an investigation.
As inquiries continue, police would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist them.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, in his mid 50s, about 175 to 180cm tall and 70-80kg with short grey/black hair and had tinted reading glasses. The man was last seen wearing a t-shirt and blue jeans.
Meanwhile, 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.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers.
