Teen girl indecently assaulted while running in Perth park

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Police are searching for a man after a 15-year-old girl was indecently assaulted in a park in Perth.

The teenager was exercising in the Banksia Eucalypt Woodland Park in Aubin Grove between 7.45am and 8.10am when she stopped to rest at a bench.

A man approached the girl and inappropriately touched her before she managed to escape and call police.

WA police searching for man after teen girl indecently assaulted in park

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“This is a parent’s nightmare, what’s happened to this child,” Chantal Langthorn from the child abuse squad said.

“It was a traumatic experience, a traumatic ordeal for any person, especially a young female.

“She handled the situation very maturely but she was shaken, as you would imagine.”

Police have released a digital forensic image of the man, who is described as being about 40 years old, about 170cm tall, and with a large build and short grey hair.

He was wearing a light blue polo top and black track pants.

Teen girl indecently assaulted while running in Perth park

Police say it’s the first time a crime like this has occurred in the area, the brazen attack leaving locals shocked.

“We’ve lived here a long time, [I’ve got] four kids of my own, and it’s just very concerning that this type of thing can happen real close to home,” Aubin Grove resident Cassie Turner told 9News.

Police suspect the crime was opportunistic – the bench is isolated, metres from the main track and covered by trees.

WA police searching for man after teen girl indecently assaulted in park

Since the attack, the City of Cockburn has deployed a mobile CCTV trailer at the park and increased safety patrols.

“It could happen again, so that is why we are appealing to the public,” Langthorn said.

“Be vigilant, call us if you have any information.”

Anyone with information has been urged to contact police.

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