Man arrested and charged following Havelock North's Guthrie Park assault

Police have arrested and charged a man following an assault at Guthrie Park in the Hawke's Bay town of Havelock North on Friday.

The 35-year-old was found and arrested without incident in Picton on Monday, police said.

He was due to appear in the Blenheim District Court on Tuesday, facing "three serious charges" relating to the incident.

Police confirmed the man was facing charges of unlawful sexual connection, abduction for sex and commission of a crime with a firearm.

It was previously reported that the alleged assault involved a stranger approaching a 12-year-old child.

Police have opposed the man's bail.

Detective Inspector James Keene said police were providing ongoing support to the victim and their family following "quite a distressing incident".

"I want to acknowledge the work of police staff across the Eastern, Wellington and Tasman districts for their collaborative work and swift apprehension of this person."

Police were continuing to conduct reassurance patrols in the area surrounding Guthrie Park in Havelock North, Keene said.

Police wanted to thank the public for information about the incident, and for their ongoing support, he said.

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