Five disturbing incidents involving approaches to children in the space of a week

Police are attempting to draw the dots between a spate of attempted child abductions in the space of a week, with all but one occurring in Sydney’s Inner West

Digital Artwork for the Daily Telegraph

• Man tries to grab girl in Summer Hill
• Police investigate attempted child abduction in Leichhardt
• Police investigate attempted child abduction in Liverpool

POLICE have yet to determine if there are any connections between a recent spate of attempted child abductions and one indecent assault in Sydney’s west.

In Summer Hill just before 9am yesterday an 11-year-old girl was standing on Bartlett Street when she was approached by a man who produced a knife from his coat and coaxed her to come over to him.

The girl turned to run away and the man tried to grab her before she was able to escape.

A Google street view showing Bartlett Street, Summer Hill. Picture: Google

At nearby MLC School in Burwood, parents received an alert yesterday following an incident at Strathfield Train Station where a man attempted to engage two students in a conversation that disturbed them.

“The safety alert message reiterated that students should not engage with strangers when travelling to and from school and was sent out via email,” the school’s Head of Marketing and Community Relations, Alison Dunn, confirmed to the Daily Telegraph Online today.

“The school as well as the parent of the girls approached have reported the matter to NSW Police, who are now in charge of this matter, including the issue of official warnings.

“MLC School takes the safety of its students seriously.”

MLC School at Burwood in Sydney’s inner west.

At about 5pm on Tuesday a three-year-old child was in a play area at Pioneers Memorial Park on Norton St in Leichhardt when she was approached by an unknown man.

The girl’s mother was standing a short distance away when the man spoke to the child, took her by the hand and began to walk away.

Police say the child’s mother challenged the man, who immediately released the child and fled the scene on foot.

Pioneers Memorial Park on Norton St in Leichhardt.

Police confirmed they were investigating possible connections between this incident and the indecent assault of a five-year-old girl by a man in nearby Glebe last Saturday morning.

At about 8.20am in Wentworth Park a man approached the child and indecently assaulted her. He ran away when the girl screamed.

In both cases, the offender was described as being of Indian appearance, about 165-170cm tall, of slim build and with black hair.

“We’re considering all lines of inquiry very closely including if there is a link between the two incidents,” Leichhardt LAC Superintendent Paul Pisanos said.

“The two descriptions are exactly the same but we’re looking at a lot of options including if the man is a rough sleeper.

“The main message to the community is to be alert but not alarmed.”

A child abduction attempt was made in Wentworth Park, Glebe, on Tuesday.

Last Thursday at about 2.30pm a 15-month-old boy was snatched in the play area at Macquarie St Mall in Liverpool as his mother stood a short distance away, watching him.

The boy’s mother yelled and ran towards the man, who handed the boy to her and then left the area in the direction of Elizabeth Drive.

Police are now examining CCTV footage of the incident.

On Thursday 25th May a man attempted to abduct a 15-month-old boy from a children's playground in Macquarie Street Mall in Liverpool.

Summer Hill

The man is described as having an Asian appearance and being 30-40 years old, 165cm tall, with short black hair, brown skin, a red mark on the right side of his face and brown eyes.

He was wearing a long black coat that hung past his knees, black pants and a red and blue coloured chequered shirt.

Leichhardt

The man is described as being of Indian appearance, about 170cm tall, with a thin build, short black hair and no facial hair. He was wearing a red T-shirt, black tracksuit pants and white shoes.

Glebe

The man has also been described as being of Indian appearance, about 165-170cm tall, of slim build and with black hair.

Liverpool

The man is described as Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, about 45-years-old, medium build, clean shaven, with black hair combed back and wearing a black woollen long sleeved jacket.

SAFETY TIPS

These incidents have 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.