A stranger has grabbed a five-year-old girl's dress as she rode on her bike in Melbourne's outer east.
Knox sexual offences and child abuse investigation team are investigating after the girl was approached in Kilsyth about 6.30pm on Wednesday.
The girl was on a bike ride around the block with her mother and two siblings when she went ahead of them and was riding on Church Street alone.
She turned around when she saw the man on the footpath and he grabbed hold of her dress.
A woman who saw from the other side of the road shouted out at him to leave her alone.
The man let go and walked off toward Mountain View Road.
He was described as having olive skin, grey hair and a long red beard. He was wearing a green top.
Detectives are hoping to speak to the woman who assisted the girl, who is described as having long dark hair and a floral top.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au