UPDATED 4.28pm: Police are looking for a male Maori in his 50s in relation to an incident in Mount Maunganui today.
At about 11.15am a 12-year-old female was delivering newspapers down Bain St, Mount Maunganui.
An unknown male was been parked in a white coloured light truck with writing on both sides of it on Bain St, near the corner of Riverton Rd.
As the young girl walked past the truck the male grabbed her by the arm. The girl broke free and ran to a nearby house.
Police were then contacted and fortunately the young girl was not physically harmed.
The white coloured light truck was last seen being driven, at speed, down Riverton Rd towards Tay St.
Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of Bain St, Mount Maunganui around 11.15am who may have seen this vehicle.
Anybody with information is encouraged to contact the Mount Maunganui Police phone 07 575 3143 or Cimestoppers on 0800 555 111
UPDATED 2.14pm: Police have confirmed they are looking for a man in a white van after a possible abduction attempt in Mount Maunganui this morning.
Police are yet to speak further to a 12-year-old girl who was walking down Bain St at 11.15am when she walked past the van, parked on the roadside.
Senior Sergeant Deirdre Lack said the girl was delivering pamphlets when she walked past a male in the van, who grabbed her by the shoulder.
The girl escaped and ran to a neighbouring address, where police were called.
Ms Lack said police were hoping to speak to anyone who might have seen the van in the area at the time. It was possible the van might have had graphics or signwriting on its side, she said.
Police expected to interview the girl in more detail this afternoon.
1.04pm: Police searching streets in Mount Maunganui have told residents they are searching for a man following a possible abduction of a young girl this morning.
Bain St residents told the Bay of Plenty Times police spoke to them in their search for a man they said had attempted to abduct a young girl who was delivering pamphlets.
Several police cars were seen searching the area and speaking to witnesses in the area following an incident about 11.15am.
Senior Sergeant Deirdre Lack said police were responding to an incident but she was unable to comment on what it was.
EARLIER: Police are searching streets in Mount Maunganui following an incident possibly involving a young girl this morning.
Several police cars have been seen searching the area in and around Bain St and Blake Park about 11.15am and officers have been talking to people in the area.
Senior Sergeant Deirdre Lack said police were responding to an incident but she was unable to comment on what it was.
It is understood the incident involved a young girl and police were looking for a man.
More soon.