In January 2020, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad's Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from the South Coast.

Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking to a 14-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sexually-explicit acts and sent sexually-explicit images.

Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives arrested a 30-year-old man at Nowra Hill about 10.30am on Friday, June 5.

Detectives also executed a search warrant at a home in Bomaderry, where they seized a laptop and mobile phone which will undergo examination.

The man was taken to Nowra Police Station and charged with using a carriage service to groom persons under 16 years of age.

He was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Bail Court on Saturday, June 6.

Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.

Regular covert online investigations are conducted by the CEIU; and police in NSW work closely with their law-enforcement colleagues interstate and overseas.

The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.

Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Read more: Crime/Court