School warns parents after approaches

Police are investigating three suspicious approaches to children reported within a week prompting a school principal to warn pupils and parents.

Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Murdoch said two alleged incidents occurred on August 3 and a third was said to have occurred on August 10.

The two August 3 incidents involved a boy and girl, both 10 years old and both from Hauraki School.

One was on Ewen St in the morning and one on Walter St in the afternoon, both in Hauraki.

One was reported immediately and the other was reported on August 10, said Murdoch.

The third incident is alleged to have occurred on August 10 and involved the same 10-year-old girl.

All three incidents involved a white van.

Walter St is 400 metres from Hauraki School while Ewen St is about a kilometre away.

Hauraki School principal Clarinda Franklin wrote about the incidents in a school newsletter on August 10.

Franklin wrote she had spoken to the children at assembly reminding them to never accept a ride or bribe from a stranger, or engage in conversation.

She urged parents to talk to their children and recommended children walk to school with friends or a small group.

‘‘An important message from the police is be alert but not alarmed,’’ Franklin wrote.

Murdoch said police were investigating the incidents and took them seriously.

‘‘We are conducting area enquiries and also taking a proactive approach, which includes an increased police presence of frontline staff in the area to ensure police have high visibility around schools in the area,’’ Murdoch said. ’’Police would like to reassure the public that any matter concerning a suspicious approach to a child should be reported immediately.’’

Murdoch said police often found there was no sinister intent to reports such as these, after thorough investigation and interviews.

‘‘Police encourage parents and teachers to have conversations with children about what to do if they feel unsafe and report it to police immediately.’’

The alleged incidents are the latest in a number which have been said to have occurred on the North Shore since the school year started.

Two of the alleged incidents occurred within about a kilometre of Hauraki School and the principal has spoken out.