Sex assault on girl in broad daylight

An 11-year-old girl in Napier was allegedly sexually assaulted in broad daylight. Photo / File

A yellow plastic watch could be a crucial clue in a police investigation into a broad daylight sexual assault on an 11-year-old girl in Napier.

Constable Steve Leonard, of Napier-Hastings Police, said the alleged assault happened in the Georges Drive green belt, near the closed Chinese bridge between Ashridge Rd and Chambers St, about 4.30pm on Tuesday.

The offender was described as a male Caucasian, clean- shaven, in his early 20s, of slim build and about 1.7m tall.

He had short straight brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a blue checked long-sleeved shirt, black jeans and a yellow plastic watch on his right wrist.

Constable Leonard said police were keen to speak to the man and any witnesses who may have seen an incident involving the man and the girl.

"This was a relatively busy time of day and there would have been a number of people on foot in the area and Georges Drive traffic would have been quite busy," Mr Leonard said.

The green belt is a popular shortcut, especially for students, and police hope someone will have seen the incident or be able to identify the person police are seeking.

Anyone with information about the incident should phone Napier Police on 06 831 0700 or information can be left anonymously on Crimestoppers.