Young sex attack victim helps police

Police say a seven-year-old Palmerston North girl who was sexually attacked in her home at the weekend has given them valuable information.

Police spoke to the girl yesterday. She was attacked and sexually violated in her home late on Saturday or early on Sunday as her family slept.

Because of rules of evidence about speaking to people so young, police had to wait for child interviewers from Child, Youth and Family to arrive before interviewing the girl.

Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Kelly said police wanted to catch the person responsible for what he called a "horrendous" crime as soon as possible.

"Tomorrow we hope to finish off the area inquiries in the streets either side of the address."

He said forensic scientists had finished a scene examination and police had found several items of interest.