Vigilance urged after abduction attempts

If you have information, phone Tauranga police on (07) 577-4300 or anonymously via Crimestoppers (0800-555-111) with information. Photo / File

The second attempted abduction of a schoolgirl in a month has Western Bay of Plenty principals concerned.

Police are looking for a man who attacked a 13-year-old Tauranga Intermediate School student when she was walking to school on Tuesday. The teenager said he grabbed her from behind and pulled her towards him near the intersection of Chadwick Rd and Greerton Rd. She managed to break free and run away.

It comes after a man tried to entice an 8-year-old girl into his car as she scootered along Te Okuroa Drive in Papamoa after school on November 6.

Gate Pa School principal Richard Inder said such incidents were always a concern.

"It's always a worry of every school. It's just a reminder to us all to keep up that vigilance," he said.

The president of the Western Bay of Plenty Principals Association, Brookfield Primary head Robert Hyndman, said all schools did the Keeping Ourselves Safe unit regularly.

"Obviously, that's a concern if there's somebody like that on the loose. It is a big concern for schools and parents," he said.

Tauranga South police Senior Sergeant Lew Warner said police were investigating information from the public regarding the attacks, which he said were not related.

Tuesday's offender was a Pakeha, 1.83m (6ft) tall, about 30 years of age with light brown hair and wearing three-quarter-length pants and a basketball-type shirt. Phone Tauranga police on (07) 577-4300 or anonymously via Crimestoppers (0800-555-111) with information.

- APN