Child abduction warning

Parents urged to tell kids of danger after men try to seize boy

PARENTS are being warned to educate their children on stranger danger after an attempted abduction of a young boy at Kirwan.

The nine- year- old Year 4 boy had just left Willows State School and was walking along Sandstone Drive soon after 3pm on Thursday when a car stopped on the side of the road in front of him. One of the two men in the car told the boy to “get in”, but he ran towards Kern Brothers Drive to a relative’s house and they contacted police.

A letter from Willows State School principal Jeff Jones went home with students on Friday “not to cause alarm”, but to inform parents and carers about the incident.

“I would suggest that children who walk or ride to school do so with friends or family where possible,” Mr Jones wrote.

“As a school, we have revis- ited personal safety messages … with all students and stressed the importance of not getting into cars with other

I know schools do a lot of work but parents do need to have conversations about these things and there is never too young to start with kids. SEN- SGT DAVID LYNCH

adults unless by prior arrangement.

“We particularly stressed the point about never getting into a vehicle with someone who is unknown to them.”

District duty officer Acting Senior Sergeant David Lynch said police were working on a comfit of the two men based on the boy’s detailed description.

Sen- Sgt Lynch said patrols following the incident failed to find the suspect vehicle or offenders.

“It’s great the young boy has received education in protective behaviours and he certainly did the right thing by running to a place of safety before something more sinister could occur,” Sen- Sgt Lynch said. “I know schools do a lot of work but parents do need to have conversations ( with their children) about these things.”

Both men in the car are described as being between 20 and 30 years of age. One was wearing a black shirt and the other a blue and yellow shirt.

They were in a white, olderstyle Mazda sedan with a black stripe down the side doors and had four speakers attached to the front bumper.

Police are asking anyone who may have seen anything to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.