20 September 2018

Police ramp up taskforce as two more students approached

| Lachlan Roberts
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Police have released face-fits of the men who approached two girls in Banks and Wright last week. Photos: Supplied by ACT Policing.

ACT Policing is investigating reports that two more students were approached this week, days after launching a dedicated taskforce to handle the escalating number of incidents of men approaching children in the ACT.

On Tuesday (18 September) around 4:10 pm, a student, believed to be from North Ainslie Primary School, was approached on Marsden Street, Dickson.

About 9:20 am this morning (20 September), an 18-year-old student was walking to school on McBryde Crescent, Wanniassa when she was approached by a man in a white 4WD. The man got out of the vehicle and spoke to the girl. He left when another vehicle approached. He is described as Caucasian, approximately 180cm (5’11”) tall with a slim build.

Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed this week’s incidents, or anyone who may have dash-cam footage from these locations to contact police.

Police have also released three new face fit images from two incidents where children were approached in Wright and Banks last week (13 September).

Around 4:15 pm on Thursday (13 September), a girl was walking home in Banks when she was followed by a suspicious vehicle, in which two men were believed to be travelling.

Around 5:25 pm, a young girl was riding a bike in Wright when she was approached by a man. He allegedly grabbed her on James McCauley Crescent and pushed her to the ground before fleeing the scene in a white van.

An ACT Policing spokesperson said Taskforce Tydeus was taking all reports seriously and would examine all available information in order to identify suspects. They are also patrolling schools in the Canberra region.

Police said they were reviewing all reports of child approaches received since February and were asking anyone with information to email Op-Tydeus@afp.gov.au.

If you become aware of an incident or notice anyone acting suspiciously around a school or child, contact police immediately on 131 444 or in the case of an emergency call 000.

Anyone who may have any information that could assist police can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote Taskforce Tydeus reference 6269577. Information can be provided anonymously.

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