Bus attacks: Police seek help

Photo / File

Police want to hear from anyone concerned by incidents on buses between Northland and Auckland after a man was charged with indecently assaulting two young female passengers.

Aucklander Dhaval Kadam, 30, first appeared in the North Shore District Court on September 5 on two counts of indecent assault. He was remanded on bail and is due back in court on December 4.

The charges relate to alleged offences that took place on Northliner InterCity buses.

The first alleged victim, a 16-year-old girl, was a passenger travelling between Auckland and Paihia on August 28. The second, a 17-year-old, was travelling between Kerikeri and Whangarei the following day.

Police say the accused had travelled on buses between Auckland and Kawakawa a number of times in August and early September.

Sergeant Kevin Milne, of Kawakawa police, said one victim had complained immediately. The other, however, laid a complaint only after a witness reported seeing another incident and police managed to track her down.

"We're mindful that if there's one person who didn't report it initially, there may be more. Anyone who has experienced anything inappropriate should contact North Shore police. They're also welcome to contact their local police station," Mr Milne said.

The initial complaint was made in Northland but the accused was arrested in Auckland as he was about to board another bus, so North Shore police were handling the investigation.

• Anyone with information that may help the enquiry should contact Constable Anthony Corbett of the North Shore CIB on (09) 477 5000 or email anthony.corbett@police.govt.nz.