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A 13-year-old girl was found wandering in a dazed state in central Hastings after she was robbed and sexually assaulted last night.
The girl told police she was approached by five or six male youths by the Russell Street public toilets between 6pm and 7pm, Senior Sergeant Dave Greig told NZPA.
"She was taken into the male toilet by those youths, her handbag was taken from her and she was sexually assaulted by one of the youths."
Members of the public found the girl about 8pm, dazed and confused, and brought her to the police station.
Police searched the toilets last night and discovered a number of interesting items.
"They were cordoned off overnight and a scene examination is taking place today," Mr Greig said.
The girl was also being interviewed today.
Initial descriptions of the youths were that they were in their mid to late teens and were Maori or Polynesian.
Police would be reveiwing closed circuit television footage as part of their investigation, Mr Greig said.
He urged anyone who witnessed the incident to contact police.
- NZPA
