A 12-year-old boy was sexually assaulted in a Brampton park Monday morning, Peel Regional Police report.

The boy was in Francis H. Taylor Park on Ashby Field Road around 8:20 a.m. when he was assaulted by a man described as black, 20 to 29 years, with a stocky build and short black hair. Police said he had a “Caribbean accent.”

The park is located in the area of Bovaird Drive and James Potter Road. It's a neighbourhood park with pathways, a playground and very few trees.

Police alerted the public Thursday with a news release and request for help identifying the man. Peel’s neighbourhood policing unit officers will be at area schools Friday morning to talk to students and staff, said Peel Const. Harinder Sohi.

He said residents in the area should be on alert for the man, and parents should speak to their children about how to stay safe.

“It’s always good to walk in a group,” he said when asked what precautions children can take.

Anyone with information is asked to call the special victims unit at 905-453-2121, ext. 3460.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was updated Friday Sept. 22 at 12:05 p.m. to correct the day the news release was issued. It was issued Thursday, not Wednesday.