Man arrested for alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of seven-year-old girl at a Queensland shopping centre

A 26-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly abducting a little girl from a Queensland shopping centre and sexually assaulting her.

Queensland police have confirmed they are charging the man who allegedly lured the young girl away from her mother while shopping at Kmart at the Westfield North Lakes shopping centre.

The man then drove the girl to nearby bushland in Pumicestone Passage where he sexually assaulted her before returning her to the shops.

He has been charged with taking a child for immoral purposes, deprivation of liberty and indecent treatment of a child under 12 and is expected to face Pine Rivers Magistrates Court today.

The news of the incident has been shared widely on social media with warnings to parents to keep an eye on their children during this busy time of year.