Police are appealing for information after a man allegedly attempted to force a 10-year-old boy into his car boot in Whangarei.
The boy was walking home with two other schoolchildren when a man in a silver sedan drove up, at around 3pm on Tuesday.
"The male driver got out of the vehicle, opened the boot, grabbed the 10-year-old by his backpack and tried to force him into the boot of the car," says Detective Sergeant Dave Hamilton.
"As this was happening the boy managed to escape and the children ran away from the offender and hid in bushes."
The children were walking on McClintock St, Whau Valley.
Police say when the children tried to continue home, they spotted a silver car further down the road and hid again.
They made it home around 4pm.
The man has been described as European, with black/brown curly shoulder-length hair, wearing a black hoodie, black jeans, and had tattoos on both forearms.
Police ask anyone with information to contact them.
"This was a busy time of day and there would have been a lot of after-school traffic in that area, so we're hoping someone may have witnessed this happen or saw a car or person matching the description," says Det Sgt Hamilton.
"We're keen to hear from anyone who may have information that can help our investigation."
Information can be provided to Whangarei police on (09) 430 4596, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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