The girl was taken from the backyard of her Suttor Street home at 10am, but rescued by her father who saw her abductor leading her into a nearby reserve.

Inspector Tony Hoolihan said it was vital for anyone who saw someone acting in a suspicious manner in the vicinity of Suttor Street yesterday morning to contact Bathurst police or Crime Stoppers as a matter of urgency.

“We are again calling on the public, anyone who may have seen something is being asked to contact police,” he said late last night.

Inspector Hoolihan had earlier commended the community for its assistance in trying to locate the offender; when the toddler was taken, police were able to broadcast a description of the offender over live radio, and they received five calls within 30 minutes.

Police last night again sought the help of the public, as they canvassed the area where the toddler was abducted.

Police spoke to hundreds of people as they door knocked an area of West Bathurst taking in Stewart and Booth streets and the surrounding areas.

The door knock, involving dozens of police from all over the Chifley Local Area Command, continued late into the evening, with police still optimistic that someone may have seen something that will aide their investigation.

Police canvassing the West Bathurst area asked people if they saw anything of significance or someone acting in an unusual fashion at around the time the young girl was taken.

Anyone who has information which may assist police is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on

1800 333 000 or Bathurst Police Station on 6332 8699.