Northland's heightened awareness around suspicious behaviour

Attempted abduction in McClintock Street, Whangarei.

Witnesses to an attempted abduction of a 10-year-old school boy are being called on to come forward and help police investigations.

A male allegedly tried to force a student into the boot of his car after stopping in the middle of McClintock street on Tuesday about 3pm.

The boy was with two others and managed to escape and hid in bushes before raising the alarm.

Detective Sergeant Hamilton renewed an appeal to witnesses to come forward.

"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. We're keen to hear from anyone who may have information that can help our investigation," Mr Hamilton said.

The wanted driver is described as European, with black/brown curly shoulder length hair, wearing a black hoodie, black jeans, and had tattoos on both forearms. Following the media publicity there is a heightened awareness of suspicious behaviour.

Kamo High School principal Joanne Hutt posted on the school's Facebook page yesterdayafter a female Year 9 student was frightened by a male Caucasian in his 40s as she walked to school about 7.50am.

She was on Fairway Drive and Baintree St, Kamo, when the balding man, who was in a late-model dark green sedan car, drove past her slowly.

"He did not speak to her or stop but stared intently at her while driving extremely slowly past her," Ms Hutt said.

"I write you this message of concern because this predatory behaviour is on-going. We need to ensure our young people are walking in groups or with others along the same pathway at the same time until these people have been apprehended by police."

In an unrelated incident a 14-year-old Pompallier Catholic College student was punched and his lunch money taken from his school bag as he waited for the bus on Wednesday morning.

Sergeant Pat Davis confirmed the teenager had been dropped at the information centre on State Highway 1 to catch the school bus and had been sitting on a bench waiting, when he was punched in the stomach.

People who have information in relation to the incident in McClintock St can contact Detective Sergeant Hamilton on 09 430 4596, or you can provide information anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.