Attempts to lure children

Dunedin schools on alert

DUNEDIN primary school communities are on edge after approaches were made to young children, in one case by a man asking a girl to enter his vehicle to help look for a lost puppy.

Police are investigating the incidents and asking the public not to be alarmed, as primary school principals in the affected areas urge parents and pupils to remain vigilant.

Detective Sergeant Dylan Ross, of Dunedin, said the first reported approach of a primary schoolaged child was in Three Mile Hill Rd, Halfway Bush, about 8.30am last Tuesday.

A member of the public intervened and the man drove away.

The second incident happened yesterday morning in Shetland St, Wakari, where a man asked another young child to enter his vehicle to help him look for a lost puppy, Det Sgt Ross said.

The child refused and the man drove away.

Police did not say if they believed the same man was involved in the two incidents.

Halfway Bush School principal Brian Filipo said this sort of behaviour near his school was concerning and he had sounded the alarm among parents.

‘‘I put out a mass text urging parents to be vigilant.’’

The school had programmes in place warning pupils of ‘‘stranger danger’’, Mr Filipo said.

Wakari School principal Chris Smith confirmed the child involved in yesterday’s attempted abduction in Shetland St was a girl at his school.

He spoke highly of the safety programmes Senior Constable Ross Greer had undertaken with pupils.

Mr Smith had fielded several calls from concerned parents yesterday and said he would understand if they preferred to drop their children off at school over the next couple of days.

Police were yesterday unable to supply a description of the man or men involved or the vehicle or vehicles.

Det Sgt Ross said in both incidents the children did the right thing.

‘‘They did not get into the car and they told a teacher as soon as they got to school.

‘‘We know that reports of incidents such as these can cause considerable concern for parents and other members of our community.

‘‘We would urge everyone to be alert, not alarmed, and to take the opportunity to have conversations with your children about what they should do should they feel unsafe.

‘‘This can be with a trusted adult, a teacher or police.’’

A Dunedin police (03) 4714800, Crimestoppers 0800 555111.

❛ They did not get into the car and they told a teacher as soon as they

got to school