NT Police sex crimes detectives are searching for a “middle-aged man” who allegedly broke into an Anula home and indecently assaulted a girl under 15 while she slept in her bed early Saturday morning.

Police received a report of the disturbing incident around 3:30am, after the victim told her mother about the indecent assault.

The victim was woken by the offender while the assault was taking place. Police believe the middle-aged male suspect was “let in by a child staying at the residence”.

“The offender is described as a middle-aged adult male with a dark complexion and short hair. He was last seen wearing a light-coloured button-up shirt and beige cargo shorts,” police said in a statement on Saturday afternoon, 12 hours after the incident had occurred.

However, an anonymous post to the Anula Community Facebook early Saturday by someone claiming to be the parent of the victim said the offender was “of African descent and had an accent”.

The post’s author said they did not wish to disclose which street they lived on, only that they lived between Sanderson school and Anula Primary.

“He is still out there but they will be doing DNA testing & have been patrolling looking for him,” the post said. “It was around 3am.”

Police did not explain the delay in making the public aware of the incident, but called for the public’s help late Saturday afternoon.

“Detectives from the Sex Crimes Section are investigating and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 and quote reference number P26098372 or report anonymously via crimestoppersnt.com.au,” the statement said.