Man attempts to abduct girl in Papamoa

The actions of a young girl are being praised by police after a man attempted to abduct her in Papamoa yesterday.

Papamoa police are investigating a report where a man in a dark coloured sedan attempted to get the eight-year-old girl into his car.

Sergeant Phil Gillbanks told the Bay of Plenty Times the young girl was scootering from her school, Papamoa Primary, to her father's work in the industrial estate, not far up the road, when the incident happened just after 3pm.

The girl was travelling along Te Okuroa Dr, off Parton Rd, when a dark coloured vehicle drove up and parked beside her.

"The man tried to entice her into his car. He never got out of his car so he didn't physically touch her or anything, he called out the window, she refused then he made a couple of inappropriate comments then she scootered off to her father's work,'' Mr Gillbanks said.

"She knew about stranger danger and went straight to her father's workplace and told him and he phoned the police.''

This report was the first one police had received about a man attempting to abduct children in Papamoa.

"It's very concerning because we don't know what his motives are but this is the first we've heard of it and we're treating it very seriously," Mr Gillbanks said.

"At the moment it's a one-off,'' he said.

The man was described a having dark or tanned skin, a short greying goatee and short grey or white hair. He was driving a four door vehicle similar to a hatchback and dark in colour.

Mr Gillbanks said police were in the process of contacting local schools and notifying them of the incident.

He praised the young girl's actions and said she had done everything right to diffuse the situation.

"She's a very brave young lady and she's given us a pretty good description to work with. She's done everything right.''

If anyone saw the incident or can offer any more information, please contact Papamoa police on 5722440.