Police have launched investigations after a four-year-old was “picked up” and taken away by a group of people while at a popular Perth swimming spot on Australia Day.
The incident happened at Bicton’s Point Walter jetty in southwest Perth at about 5.25pm on Friday.
Three people, two men and a woman, made a “suspicious approach” towards the young girl, and attempted to take her away from her family.
Detective Sergeant Sam Harris say the young girl was suddenly “picked up” by the woman and taken “away from the family”.
He said authorities were treating this as a “serious incident” until police were able to determine the intentions of the group.
“It is odd behaviour, that does need explaining, because you can’t do that to someone’s child,” he said.
Luckily the incident was observed by two teenage girls, who alerted the girl’s father. He was then able to intervene in the incident.
Police are now appealing to speak to the two teenage girls who spoke to the child’s father, or anyone else who may have witnessed the incident.
The three people who approached the young girl have been described as possibly being of Asian descent. The group was also later seen at a nearby ice-cream van.
The woman is believed to be in her 30s, and was wearing heavy makeup and a long khaki coloured skirt.
One man was also in his 30s and was wearing dark coloured shorts, with the other man was wearing white Crocs and had a missing tooth.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or report the incident online.