The man, who had been watching his daughter play in the backyard from the kitchen window, saw his two-year-old daughter being carried through a gap in the fence by a man just after 10am.

The father ran after the man, and a struggle broke out, before he managed to get his daughter back.

Inspector Tony Hoolihan said the abductor only managed to get about 20 metres away through a nearby reserve before the father was able to catch up with him and snatch his daughter back.

After receiving a Triple-0 call from the distraught parents, police saturated the area, and through live broadcasts over local radio were able to make a plea for public assistance in locating the man.

Inspector Hoolihan commended the efforts of the father, who not only got his daughter back, but under intense pressure was able to give police an accurate description of alleged offender, which was then broadcast to the public who worked with police in trying to locate the man.

The suspect was described as a male caucasian, around 30 years of age, with a long straggly beard and scruffy appearance.

The man was last seen in Suttor Street and thanks to the father’s description and calls from the public, police located a man fitting that description off Bradwardine Road just after 1pm.

The man was taken into Bathurst Police Station where he spent yesterday afternoon assisting the police with their inquiries; however, he was released without being charged yesterday afternoon.

Inspector Hoolihan thanked the public for working with police, saying the incident was an excellent example of how the community and authorities worked together.

“It was just one of those things, we were able to get the details straight on air and got four or five phone calls in the first 30 minutes.”

He said it was vital that anyone with any information regarding the abduction contact Bathurst Police on 6332 8699 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 urgently.

The toddler at the centre of the abduction was taken to Bathurst Base Hospital but later released.

“She’s fine, she wasn’t injured, she’s only up there [hospital] as a precautionary measure,” he said.

Inspector Hoolihan again commended her father’s quick thinking.

“Her dad is a bit of a legend.

“He did a great job in two ways, he was able to get her back, and importantly give police an accurate description of the man we are looking for,” he said.