Park attack remains a mystery

The identity of a girl seen running half-naked and bleeding from a park toilet, followed closely by a man, remains a mystery.

Three days after a cleaner reported the incident to police there have been no further sightings of the girl or information about her.

Police called for the public's help on Friday after the cleaner told them she saw a blonde-haired girl, aged about 9, running from a toilet block in Neville Power Memorial Park, Te Atatu South.

The cleaner said the girl wore only a blue top and had blood on her lower body.

Police collected blood from the toilets, next to a playground, and are awaiting the results of forensic analysis of the samples.

Yesterday, as cold foggy weather kept most children away from the park, residents described the incident as a mystery. Some questioned whether the incident took place, and if so, how the girl ran from the toilets without being found, or seen by anyone else.

But one woman, who did not want to be named, said she saw the cleaner on Friday and she was absolutely devastated by what had happened. The cleaner said that she had tried to find the girl after seeing the man come out of the women's toilets soon after and realising something was wrong.

There have been mixed views on the safety of the park and surrounding area. Some people say there was a rape near the toilets several years ago and that suspicious men hang out there.

Others, like Dave and Betty Fraser, who have lived in nearby Kirrie Ave for 46 years, said the park was as safe as any.

Although shocked by the cleaner's report, Mrs Fraser said she would continue to walk through the park daily. She also had no problem taking her grandchildren to the playground.

But a woman living next to the park said the seven young children at her home would not be returning to the popular playground "until they catch that man".

Alleged attack

* The incident: Just before 10am on Friday in the toilets near the playground in Neville Power Memorial Park, Te Atatu South.

* The girl: Long blonde/mousy hair, bare feet, wearing only a pale blue polo shirt, with blood on her lower body. Aged about 9.

* The man: Aged between 30 and 50, wearing jeans and a checked shirt. Medium height and build. Drove a dark-coloured saloon car.