Police are appealing for public assistance after a child was allegedly assaulted by an unknown man in Sydney's west earlier this week.
On Sunday 22 February 2026, officers attached to Cumberland Police Area Command commenced an investigation following reports a 16-year-old boy was reported missing from Westmead.
Following inquiries by police, the 16-year-old was located at a school in Plumpton, on Monday (23 February 2026).
Further inquiries made by officers revealed that the teenager was approached by an unknown man at Westmead Railway Station, about 8.40pm on Sunday 22 February 2026.
It is believed the boy, and the unknown man left the railway station about 9:20pm on a bus and travelled together to the Mount Druitt area, where the teen was allegedly assaulted before being located the next day.
Following these inquiries, the matter was referred to detectives attached to the State Crime Command's Child Abuse Squad who commenced an investigation into the incident.
As inquiries continue, detectives are appealing for information from members of the public who may have seen or interacted with the 16-year-old boy, or the unknown man, at Westmead Railway Station, in the vicinity of Alexandra Avenue, between 8:30pm and 9:30pm on Sunday 22 February 2026.
The man is described as being of African appearance, aged in his 40s to 50s, of a medium build with a bald head and facial stubble.
He was last seen wearing a beige coloured t-shirt, blue pants, black shoes and carrying a white plastic bag.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
