Woman charged with trying to lure girl into car

A woman has been charged with assault on a child and impersonating a police officer after allegedly trying to get a young girl into her car yesterday afternoon.

Senior Sergeant Nigel Allen said members of the public intervened when they saw a 42-year-old woman trying to lure the eight-year-old into her car on Feilding's Denbigh St in the town at about 3.30pm.

Police were called and located the woman a short distance from the scene after they arrived. She had allegedly told the members of the public that she was a police officer.

However, Mr Allen said it appeared the incident was not as threatening as it initially seemed.

"On the face of it the circumstances don't appear to be as sinister as they would normally appear," he said.

"At this point police inquiries suggest that the woman's actions were motivated by a misplaced concern for the girl's welfare rather than anything more sinister."

Mr Allen said police were also awaiting the results of a blood/alcohol test before considering a drink-driving charge.

The woman is to appear in Feilding District Court on Tuesday.

- NZPA