POLICE have appealed for assistance after a 11-year-old boy was indecently assaulted in a Corrimal public toilet.

The  boy was at the Corrimal shopping centre with his mother shortly before 5.30pm on Saturday when he went to the public toilets on his own. As he left a cubicle he was confronted by a man who allegedly grabbed at his jeans and made a lewd comment.

The boy pushed past the man and returned to a nearby supermarket where he told his mother who was shopping what had happened. She searched the area for the man and then contacted police when he could not be found.

Wollongong police searched of the area and spoke to the shopping centre employees. CCTV footage will also be investigated.

The man is believed to have left the area of the shopping centre through the west entry/exit onto the Princes Highway. He has been described to police as being aged in his 40s with short brown hair and a short beard. At the time of the incident he was wearing a black t-shirt with writing on the front and red and blue stipes on either side and brown baggy jeans.

Police have recommended that parents and carers accompany children wherever possible when they intend to use public toilets. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Wollongong Police or Crime Stoppers on 1 800 333 000.