Police are appealing for information following a child approach incident in the Newcastle area.

About 3.15pm yesterday (Tuesday 22 September 2015), a woman was at a museum on Workshop Way, when she noticed a man nearby.

The woman has told police the man was acting suspiciously and when the woman’s one-year-old daughter walked past him, he touched the infant’s cheek.

He then left the area and the woman alerted museum security and police about the incident.

Police conducted a number of patrols in the area; however the man could not be located.

Officers from Newcastle Local Area Command continue to investigate the incident and would like to speak to a man who they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries.

He is described as being Mediterranean/Middle Eastern in appearance, aged 25 – 35 years old, about 175-180cm tall and with a medium build. He is described as having a black receding hairline. He is further described as wearing white runners, blue denim jeans and a dark and light blue horizontal stripped tee shirt.

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.