Police release images of clothes to help identify victims of alleged Sydney childcare paedophile

Federal police have released pictures of children’s clothes as part of an investigation into alleged child sex offender Hamish Tait, urging parents and carers who recognise the items to come forward. Photograph: supplied by AFP View image in fullscreen Federal police have released pictures of children’s clothes as part of an investigation into alleged child sex offender Hamish Tait, urging parents and carers who recognise the items to come forward. Photograph: supplied by AFP Police release images of clothes to help identify victims of alleged Sydney childcare paedophile AFP release images of children’s clothes found on electronic devices seized as part of investigation into Hamish Tait Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A tiny dinosaur puffer jacket could lead police to more victims of a former childcare worker and alleged prolific child sex offender. Federal police have released pictures of clothing from children they want to identify, urging parents and carers who recognise the items to come forward. Hamish Tait, 35, has been charged with 329 offences related to the creation and distribution of child abuse material alleged to have occurred at several of the 62 childcare centres he worked at or visited, primarily in Sydney. The clothes included the puffer jacket, shorts with a blue pattern, a T-shirt with an animal pattern and a two-tone T-shirt. Detectives found the images on electronic devices seized as part of their investigation into Tait. In about two days, officers have received more than 300 calls with information. View image in fullscreen The clothes included a puffer jacket with dinosaur print. Photograph: supplied by AFP “Every image may contain a clue that helps identify a child,” Australian federal police Det Acting Insp Emmanuel Tsardoulias said. “Our victim ID team is tenacious, they’re committed and will stop at nothing to identify children or victims of child sexual exploitation.” Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email The detective admitted it was impossible not to consider the allegations and their potential impact as a parent himself. “We understand families want answers quickly, but we must be thorough to identify every victim to protect the investigation and ensure families receive the right support,” Tsardoulias said. Police believe the images were taken between 2018 and 2023 at childcare centres at Rouse Hill and Putney, in Sydney’s north-west. View image in fullscreen A two-tone T-shirt was among several images released by the AFP. Photograph: supplied by AFP The investigation has identified a further six victims, reducing the total number of unidentified children to 16. skip past newsletter promotion after newsletter promotion Tait has been in custody since being arrested and charged in July 2025, when police seized almost 2.5m files from electronic devices at his home. School in remote SA Indigenous community on list of places where accused paedophile worked Read more He was initially c