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P5 ASHBURTON
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Wednesday, Aug 6, 2014
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Suspicious approach investigated Ashburton police are investigating what could have been an attempted abduction of a young boy. They are looking for a man in a green car with tinted windows who allegedly approached a boy at about 10.50 Sunday morning. The 9-year-old was riding his scooter on Saunders Road, near West Street, when the alleged approach was made, police said in a written response to the Guardian yesterday. The boy told police the man asked whether he would like some lollies. The boy told him no and then scootered toward Galbraith Street, the statement supplied by Detective Sergeant Jennifer Hooke said. The man followed and another approach was made. The boy broke free and ran home, the statement said. The statement did not explain the circumstances in which the boy had to break free, but did say the boy last saw the green car drive into Russell Avenue. He alerted an adult and the police were contacted. The boy received minor injuries. The statement did not say how he sustained those injuries, or what they were. He did not need medical
treatment. Police said the man was described as having dark features, a skinny build and short hair. He was aged in his 30s. The alleged incident happened near State Highway One and police were keen to hear from anyone in the area at the time. Detective Sergeant Hooke could not be contacted after sending the statement yesterday, but Senior Sergeant Scott Banfield told the Guardian the boy handled the incident the right way, politely declining the man’s offer and making for safety. It was important to ensure children responded appropriately to such advances. However, the community also had a role to play. Whether it was unusual behaviour or signs of a child in distress, police wanted people to report anything that aroused suspicion. Any observations, no matter how small, could be key to helping police make Ashburton streets safer, he said. Can you help? Contact Ashburton police on 307-8400 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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