Police are appealing for information after two girls were approached at Uralla on Tuesday.
About 6.50pm, two girls, aged 12 and 13, were walking through a park on Hill Street.
As they entered the female toilets, a man followed them inside and approached them while they were inside a cubicle. The man ran off when the girls called out for help.
Officers from New England Local Area Command were notified of the incident and patrolled for the man without success.
Police would like to speak with a man who may be able to assist with inquiries.
The man is described of being Caucasian appearance with a thin build, 5’2” tall (152cm) with a tanned complexion and aged in his 60s. He was last seen wearing a blue hat, pale green shirt, denim shorts and sunglasses.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to come forward and contact Uralla Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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 other 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.
