Police are searching for a teenager who has been repeatedly assaulting women in Whakatane.

One woman was indecently assaulted in the town centre on Monday afternoon, while two others were assaulted last month.

The offender, who has a distinctive stretcher ear piercing, is described as between 14 and 16 years old, of a solid build, with brown hair.

Detective Sergeant Darren Thomas says there's a possibility other offences have gone unreported.

He says the offender's actions are not just inappropriate antics - they are indecent assaults that can impact on women’s feeling of safety.