17-year-old girl sexually assaulted in broad daylight

A 34-year-old man has been charged with sexually assaulting the 17-year-old girl after approaching her on a train in Sydney at lunchtime on Wednesday, ABC News of Australia reported.

Police say the man spoke with the girl as the train travelled between Redfern and Strathfield, in the city's west.

The man then allegedly dragged the girl off the train and to a toilet at Strathfield Railway Station, where police say he sexually assaulted her.

Strathfield is one of the busiest stations in the Sydney Trains network.

The New South Wales Opposition says the alleged attack would not have taken place if security on the rail network had been maintained.

Opposition spokesman Andrew McDonald says the case is "incredibly worrying" and more visible security is needed to deter criminals.

"There were 900 transit officers. There's now only 400 people from the police Transport Command," Dr. McDonald said.

"They're between 100 and 200 people short. Less visible security means greater risk for commuters.

"Anybody who's caught a train in the last three years will notice there is much less visible security now.

"We're seeing a lot less patrolling of our trains than we have in the past. There's also been a very significant reduction in the number of staff on the platforms, especially in western Sydney."