Police defend silence over sex assault

Police investigating the sexual assault of a five-year-old boy at the Australian Open in Melbourne have defended their decision not to warn the public about the possible threat to children.

The young boy was allegedly assaulted in a men's toilet late on Monday afternoon while his mother waited for him outside.

It is alleged a man followed him into the Melbourne Park cubicle and touched him inappropriately.

The attack was not made public until this morning, four days after the incident.

The attack comes after players earlier this week after Tennis Australia came under criticism for making competitors play in the 40 degree plus temperatures.