Hawke’s Bay Police are investigating the attempted abduction of a five-year-old boy outside a Hastings school this morning.
Detective Rob Parker said a 10-year-old girl was walking her five-year-old brother to St Matthews Primary School in King St, Hastings just before 9am this morning when a man began following them.
The boy was walking behind his sister. As they got to the school driveway, the male grabbed the five-year-old by the hand and started leading him down the road. The young boy cried out and his sister turned around and called out to him. The man then let go of the boy’s hand and left the area.
Mr Parker said police were keen to speak to the man in the attached photos. He was seen in the area at the time of the incident.
“We are very keen to speak to this person and we need to clarify if he was involved. This has been particularly upsetting for the children and we need to ascertain what, if any, involvement this man had,” Mr Parker said.
The incident was also a timely reminder to parents to remind their children about “stranger danger”. In this case, the older sister immediately told an adult at the school and police were called.
“Unfortunately we do have these types of incidents occurring every now and then, so it’s incumbent upon parents to educate their children about not going off with strangers and what to do if they feel they are in danger.
“It’s important that children know to raise the alarm in these circumstances,” Mr Parker said.
Anyone with information about the man’s identity or anyone who may have seen the incident should contact Mr Parker at HB Police on 06 8310700.
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Any media queries to Eastern District Communications Manager Kris McGehan on 027 2223638.
