Police have launched an urgent public appeal amid their search for a man who approached and touched an 11-year-old girl in Brisbane’s south.

It is alleged the stranger placed his hand on the girl’s hip, causing her to fall, then fled the scene in a white or light-coloured vehicle.

The incident happened on Westridge St in Brookfield, in Brisbane’s west, about 4.30pm last Thursday.

The man is believed to be aged in his 20s or 30s, caucasian, has dark coloured hair and was last seen wearing a light-coloured hooded jumper driving along Rafting Ground Rd.

“The girl is safe and well and the matter was reported to police later that afternoon,” a police spokesman said.

Detective Acting Inspector Brendan Blyth said any matter involving a child or members of the public were taken seriously.

“We believe it was a light touch, but it was enough to have her stumble to the ground and sustain a light graze to the knee,” he said.

“We don’t have any reports of any conversation or anything verbal.”

Inspector Blyth said a nearby witness comforted the girl following the incident and was able to confirm the girl was upset, but did not see what happened.

He said they did not believe there was an ongoing risk to the community and no further incidents had been reported to police.

“We’ve reviewed large volumes of CCTV, but given the nature of the area, it’s not very built up and a lot of that might readily be available in the city isn’t there, so we’re trying to piece together exactly what happened,” he said.

“There’s no footage of the person or vehicle at this stage.”

The inspector urged parents and guardians to remind children that if strangers approached them in person or online to immediately tell their parents and report it to police.

“The more information we have on any of these incidents ultimately helps us prevent things happening and solve reported incidents,” he said.

Police are seeking dashcam or CCTV footage from the area around Rafting Ground Rd, Moons Lane and Winrock St in Brookfield between 4.30pm and 4.50pm last Thursday.

They would also like to speak with anyone who witnessed the incident or the man to come forward.

Police are expected to address the media on Thursday afternoon.