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The Vancouver Police Department is investigating the sexual assault of a six-year-old girl who was lured away from her school playground in south Vancouver.

Police said it happened on Dec. 5 near Sexsmith Elementary School on Columbia Street and West 59th Avenue.

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Const. Jason Doucette said the girl was playing in the school’s playground when she was approached by a stranger, police said. He lured her away from the school and took her to a location close by where the assault took place.

He then walked her back to the school, said police. Police learned of the incident the following evening, Dec. 7, but wouldn’t say who reported it to them.

Photo by Gerry Kahrmann / PNG

“She’s continuing to get support from us, and from the Vancouver school board and her family. She is safe. There is no reason to believe that the victim and the suspect knew each other,” Doucette says.

The school board would not provide someone to be interview, but said by email: “Staff are assisting the VPD with their investigation. School staff are actively sharing safety messages with students and families, and, are working with the VPD to ensure a safe environment. We urge anyone with information to contact the VPD. As this is an active police investigation, questions are best directed to the VPD.”