Police are calling for witnesses to an alleged indecent assault of a young girl in Katherine, which may have been committed by a man who “approached” a woman in the main shopping centre carpark on Tuesday morning.

NT Police media manager Rob Cross said the man allegedly approached a young girl as she was riding her bike along an alleyway behind Frangipanni Court in Katherine about 9:30am Tuesday.

The man attempted to touch the girl inappropriately before she was able to escape and run home for help, Mr Cross said.

The alleged offender is described as an 40-year-old Aboriginal man, about 170cm tall with short black and grey hair, wearing red knee-length shorts and a dark shirt.

Authorities suspect this is the same man who may have approached another woman in the main shopping centre carpark on Tuesday morning.

NT Police urges the public to contact them on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote reference 9456855.