A man has been charged after allegedly indecently assaulting a young girl on a bus near Charlestown earlier this week.

About 3.45pm on Wednesday (4 May 2016), a man got on a bus at Frederick Street, Charlestown and sat down next to a 6-year-old girl.

He allegedly spoke to the girl before indecently assaulting her. He got off the bus a short time later at Gateshead.

The girl continued on her journey and reported the matter to her mother, who in turn contacted police.

About 10.20am today (Saturday 7 May 2016), following investigations, officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command arrested a 48-year-old man in Charlestown.

He was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with aggravated indecent assault.

He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on 22 June 2016.