Man, 32, from Sydney’s east arrested for alleged online grooming
Police will allege in court the 32-year-old man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and allegedly engaged in sexually explicit conversations before making arrangements to meet her.
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A man from Sydney’s east has been arrested for the alleged online grooming of a child as police urge parents and carers to speak to youth about cyber safety.
Strike Force Trawler detectives arrested three men across the state last week over separate alleged online grooming incidents.
In July this year, detectives began engaging with one of the men from Sydney’s east.
Police will allege in court the 32-year-old man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and allegedly engaged in sexually explicit conversations before making arrangements to meet her.
He was arrested last Thursday and has been charged with use carriage service to procure a child under 16 for sexual activity.
He appeared at Parramatta Local Court the same day and was granted bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court in November.
This week marks National Child Protection Week and Detective Acting Superintendent Chris Goddard, from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad, said it was a good time to speak to your children about staying safe.
He said that in more than 90 per cent of cases investigated this year children have been abused by someone known to them.
“Recently we have seen a number of people arrested that hold positions of trust in the community, so it is worthwhile taking the time to make sure your children understand that help is always available if they ever need it,” Supt Goddard said.
“This year, we know more children have been spending time indoors at home, which often includes activities on devices and on the internet.
“Not only should young people be very careful about providing personal information details to a person they only know in an online environment, they should never organise to meet, as doing so may place them at further risk of harm.
“If you or your child ever come across any concerning material online, we would encourage you to contact local police immediately.”
For more information about National Child Protection Week click here.
More information and educational packages for parents and children are available from ThinkUKnow here.
Since January this year, the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad has arrested more than 560 people and laid more than 2800 charges, following investigations into child sexual assaults, serious physical abuse, extreme cases of neglect and online grooming.