Teen girl approached by suspicious man in Rotorua

Two suspicious approaches have been made to a teenage girl in Western Heights in Rotorua, prompting a warning from police.

Senior Sergeant Andrew Allerton said police had received reports about two suspicious approaches made on different days this week to the girl walking on Clayton Rd.

Mr Allerton said he was unable to say exactly how the approaches were suspicious but they were concerning enough to prompt police to put out a public warning.

He said police welcomed reports of a white Toyota ute operating in a suspicious manner in Rotorua.

"In addition to our regular advice that people should be aware of their surroundings and use common sense to stay safe, local police advise people to be alert."

He said it was timely to remind parents and caregivers to teach their children how to get safely to and from school and other places they go - whether they walk, bike or go by bus.

He said young people needed to know the rules about getting home and parents and caregivers should go with their children to school so they could show them the safest route.

He said children should also be reminded about using pedestrian crossings and made aware of hazards such as narrow footpaths or busy roads.

He said parents should know who their children walked with and meet the parents of children who associated with their children.

"Teach the children to walk home together in twos or small groups, not alone. Make other arrangements if someone is away."

He said police encouraged people to report anything that made them feel unsafe or uncomfortable by calling 111.