Teens foil attack on 12-year-old girl

Photo / NZ Herald

Police are praising the bravery of three schoolboys who stopped an attack on a 12-year-old girl in a central Hastings park this morning.

The girl was walking to school when she was approached by two men, one of whom tried to force her off the footpath and into the park, Sergeant Eden Sewell of Hastings police said.

Two 15-year-olds and a 13-year-old from Hastings Boys' High School saw the attack and called police about 9am.

Mr Sewell said one of the boys also approached the men and intervened.

"He basically just said to them, 'Take off' - he just started yelling at them and ran back towards them, and I think they just took off," he told NZPA.

Mr Sewell said it was a "brave move" and the boys did everything right.

"These are young guys going into a situation that's obviously pretty risky, and they've acted pretty well."

Youth aid officers would follow up with the boys to commend them for their actions.

Two local men, aged 28 and 54, were arrested nearby after the incident.

Police believe the men were also linked to a similar incident involving a 17-year-old girl in central Hastings.

The girl was approached by two men and indecently assaulted by one of them in the central business district about 9am yesterday.

The 28-year-old man will appear in Hastings District Court today, while the 54-year-old is assisting police with their inquiries.

- NZPA