Police hunt man after the attempted sexual assault of a 12-year-old boy in a public toilet

A MAN waiting in a cubicle in a shopping centre toilet grabbed a boy in Sydney before the boy was able to escape.

WAITING in a cubicle, a man attempted to grab a boy in a public toilet inside a shopping centre in south west Sydney.

About 8.15pm last night, the 12-year-old boy walked into the toilet at Bass Hill Plaza when he noticed a man in a cubicle with the door open.

The boy tried to quickly leave, but the man grabbed the boy by the waist and hit him across the head as he attempted to pull him closer, police said.

Two men then entered the toilet which startled the man allowing the boy to break free and run out.

CCTV footage from the shopping centre shows a man police would like to speak to in relation to the attempted assault.

Police are urging anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.