Police are appealing for information after a boy was approached by a man in a public toilet at Manly yesterday.
About 3.50pm (Sunday 15 March 2015), an 11-year-old boy went into the male public toilets at Manly Wharf.

Police have been told a man approached the boy and tried to touch him inappropriately.

The child pushed the man away and ran from the toilet block. He then caught a bus with a friend to Dee Why, where he told his mother about the incident, and she reported it to police.

Detectives from Northern Beaches Local Area Command are investigating the matter. They would like to speak with a man who may be able to assist with their inquiries.

The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged 45 to 50 years, and with thinning hair. At the time of the incident, the man was wearing a white top and jeans.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

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.