The man approached the primary-aged girl at 3.10 pm on Monday while she played with friends at a playground in Glenroi Oval, Glenroi.

Inspector Peter Atkins said police were looking for a man who is approximately 35 years old, has a short, solid build, Aboriginal complexion and was wearing jeans and was unshaven at the time of the incident.

“The man approached the schoolgirl and had an inappropriate conversation with her, and asked her to leave with him,” he said.

“The girl said no straight away and left the park with her friends.”

Police have revisited Glenroi Oval several times since the incident, warning local residents to be vigilant about their children’s whereabouts.

“Children need to be made aware of safe locations where they can go to if something like this does occur,” Inspector Atkins said.

Police visited the park again yesterday afternoon to talk to local children in an effort to identify the man.

Police have also asked the public to report any similar incidents as soon as they occur.

Police are urging parents to follow a set of safety guidelines:

l Parents are encouraged to walk to and from school with their children, making sure it is the safest route to travel.

l If possible, use busier roads and streets, or paths where other people are likely to be. Avoid back lanes and short cuts through isolated areas.

Tell your children to avoid talking to people they don’t know, including people in cars that pull over to the side of the road, and instil in them that they should never go anywhere or get into a car with someone they don’t know.

Always tell your children if someone other than you is going to pick them up from school.

Talk to your child about where they should go for help if they feel scared or something happens to them. Safe places to go would include a shop, service station, police station or school.

Use common signs to help children identify safe places they can approach for help. For example, the police blue-checked square, their own doctor’s surgery, a service station or library, an information sign at a shopping centre or a hospital if there is one close to home or school.