Investigations are continuing into three other incidents, after the arrest of a teenage boy over a sex attack in South Auckland yesterday, police said today.
The 14-year-old from Mangere is due to appear in Manukau Youth Court this morning facing a one charge of indecent assault.
The count relates to an incident that happened about 2pm in a walkway that runs from Cape Rd and behind Nga Iwi Primary School on Mascot Ave, in Mangere.
Detective Senior Sergeant Darrel Harpur said a 29-year-old mother, who had been shopping at a supermarket, was walking along the path when she was allegedly indecently assaulted.
The alleged offender was stopped by members of public near the scene.
Mr Harpur said three other sex attacks on the walkway since early last month were still under investigation.
He said police and Maori wardens were working together to provide reassurance to the local community.
They would be present throughout the day, particularly when children were walking to and from school.
Police advised people to follow general safety instructions, adding that it was important for adults to accompany young children and for women to walk in groups, rather than alone.
Avoiding the walkway where possible was also recommended.
The first incident there happened on September 8, when a 12-year-old girl was grabbed from behind and indecently assaulted.
On Monday last week, an eight-year-old girl was raped by a Maori or Polynesian male while walking home from school with her six-year-old sister, who screamed for help. Last Thursday, a male grabbed a 28-year-old woman who was pushing her son in a pram. She punched him and he fled.
