A 13-year-old boy has been charged with multiple sexual offences following a series of incidents along walking trails on Sydney’s northern beaches. New South Wales police arrested the teenager on Saturday evening after launching an investigation into several reports of inappropriate behaviour and alleged sexual touching on trails near Narrabeen.

Police said the boy attended Mona Vale police station at about 7:30 p.m. and was subsequently taken to Manly police station. He faces three counts of behaving in an offensive manner in or near a public place, along with eight counts of sexually touching another person without consent.

The inquiry began in early October after a series of incidents were reported between October 1 and October 8. Officers allege the perpetrator approached women and girls aged between 13 and 54 while riding an electric bicycle (ebike), made inappropriate sexual comments in at least one case, and then fled the scene on the bike. A total of 11 incidents are believed to have occurred.

One of the earliest reported events took place near Narrabeen Lagoon around 4:30 p.m. on October 1, where a woman was allegedly sexually touched before the suspect left on the ebike. Further reports included an incident on October 5, when two women walking near Bilarong Reserve were also allegedly sexually touched by a male riding an ebike.

As part of the investigation, police released CCTV footage last week of a male person of interest to the public, urging anyone with relevant information to come forward. Superintendent John Duncan, speaking before the arrest at Narrabeen, noted the challenges posed by the location’s extensive bushland trails, which lack extensive surveillance coverage.

Strike Force Mexvo was established to coordinate the investigation, with support from the state crime command’s sex crimes quad. Following his arrest, the teenager was granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at children’s court on November 4.

Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information about the incidents to assist in the ongoing investigation.