FILE
Police are looking into another report of a child being approached by a man in a white van.
An 8-year-old has told police he was approached by a man in a white van in Ngongotaha on Friday afternoon and was offered a lolly. The child said there was another young boy sitting in the front seat of the van.
Rotorua police head of CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Zane Smith said it was another reminder to parents to ensure their children knew about stranger danger.
There were reports on social media today the man was wearing a balaclava but Mr Smith told the Rotorua Daily Post that was not the case.
"We have received a complaint and we are looking into it. It's a good opportunity to talk to your children now to make sure they are aware of stranger danger.
A stranger is someone you don't know. When you talk about strangers to kids, they get a picture in their head ... but it is simply someone you don't know and someone you should not go anywhere with."
Mr Smith said children should be taught to run to a safe place and immediately tell an adult, if approached by a stranger.
The complaint follows several other similar incidents in the past two years.
In October, a 10-year-old boy said he was offered money to get into a man's white van.
The incident happened about 7.45am on Gordon Rd, Western Heights, when the boy was walking to school. Police said the man driving had offered the boy money to get in.
He refused and ran to school where he told a friend and a teacher.
Last year several incidents were reported to police where children were approached by a man driving a white van in Rotorua suburbs.
He had also been seen outside schools tempting children with lollies.
In May 2013, Rotorua police said they were getting an average of one call a week about the man but no children were harmed.
The man had been seen in the Owhata, Lynmore, Pukehangi and Western Heights areas.
Mr Smith said the description of the van and the man had varied in the reports from members of the public.
"There are many reasons for that. It's a reflection of the ages of children being interviewed and often the view they have got of the person isn't for a long time."
Mr Smith urged people in these situations to do their best to get a detailed description, including a registration number.
"We would like to get registrations of any suspicious vehicles or people hanging around groups of children watching. Most teenagers have got cellphones now, even if they can get a quick photo.
"What we really need to do is make sure our children are safe and know what to do if someone approaches them and as a community we need to be vigilant. If something seems wrong, it probably is."
¦Do you have information? Call Rotorua police on (07) 348 0099. Information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.