Hamilton Police investigating the accosting of a young boy by a suspicious male near a busy City intersection this morning are commending the child for doing the right thing and are appealing for witnesses.
Detective Sergeant Neville Ross of the Hamilton CIB said the alarm was raised by the boy's school about 9.30am.
"A 10-year-old boy has been walking to school in the suburb of Hillcrest between 8.30-8.45am when he was accosted by a man who had been following him in a car as he walked east along Morrinsville Rd.
"The driver has pulled alongside the boy a short distance from the roundabout at the intersection of Morrinsville and Cambridge Roads, the man got out of the car and began following the boy on foot, when the boy tried to run away the man chased, grabbing his arm."
Mr Ross said the boy managed to shrug off his attacker and flee, running to get help and raising the alarm.
"We're very concerned at the nature of the attack and are seeking witnesses who may have noticed a man chasing or grabbing the boy at a time when there was peak hour traffic.
"The boy is a 10-year-old Caucasian who was wearing a red and blue, almost chequered top."
The offender was described as a Maori or Polynesian male aged in his forties of medium build, about 180cm tall wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, blue jeans and white shoes with long straight black hair. He was driving a greenie brown old model car.
"If you saw a man in a black hooded sweatshirt chasing a boy or if you know who this person might be we need to speak to you," said Mr Ross.
"Police view this incident very seriously and we commend the boy for the action he took. Officers have been working with the school and a notice to parents advising them of what has happened is going home with students today."
Mr Ross said it was important for parents and caregivers to reinforce the 'stranger danger' messages and ensure their children were not left alone to fend for themselves.
Anyone with any information on this morning's incident is asked to contact Mr Ross at the Hamilton central Police Station on 07 8586200.
Alternatively information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800555111.
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