Detectives are appealing for information after a young girl was indecently assaulted in the Hunter Region yesterday.

About 1pm (Monday 22 August 2016), police attended George Booth Drive, Stockrington, following reports an 11-year-old girl had been indecently assaulted.

Police were told the girl, who was dressed in a yellow and blue fairytale costume, was walking along George Booth Drive near West Wallsend, about midday, when a man in a car stopped and spoke to her, offering her a lift.

She got in the car and when they were near Richmond Vale, the man stopped the car and indecently assaulted her before she got out of the car and ran away.

A short time later, a passing motorist stopped to render assistance, contacting police and emergency services.

Officers conducted an extensive search of the area for the man; however, he was not located.

Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse Squad Newcastle, with assistance from local police, are investigating the incident and are appealing for assistance from the public to identify and locate the man.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with a slim build, short blond hair, a trimmed beard, with a small moustache, and aged in his early 40s.

At the time, he was wearing jeans, a red jacket and reading glasses, and driving a dark red-coloured or maroon 4WD with silver rims.

Investigators are urging anyone who may have been travelling along George Booth Drive at the time, or who has information that may assist, to come forward.

The Child Abuse Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate crimes against children, including sexual assault, physical abuse and serious cases of neglect.