18-month old girl allegedly snatched at park in Gippsland, man assisting police

A man is helping police with their inquiries after a child was allegedly picked up at a Gippsland park in an attempted abduction.

Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating an attempted abduction at Centenary Park in Yinnar on Friday, 5 May.

A man has handed himself in over the alleged attempted abduction of a toddler in Gippsland on Friday.

An 18-month old child was injured when an unknown man allegedly tried to take her from a Yinnar park on Friday May 5.

On Thursday morning (June 1), a 45-year-old Moe man handed himself into police in relation to the incident.

It is believed a 30-year-old woman was watching her daughter play near an in-ground trampoline in Centenary Park about 1.45pm.

Officers believe the man has then approached the little girl directly before allegedly picking her up and walking away.

The mother ran after the man and managed to pull her child free from his grip.

The child sustained minor injuries, with scratches on her arm and foot.

The man then allegedly fled on foot towards the public toilets.

The woman, from Yinnar South, bundled up her child and went back to her car where she called triple-0.

Detectives released an image on Thursday morning of the man they thought could help them with their inquiries.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage or any other information that could assist police with their inquiries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.