A stranger allegedly tried to force an 8-year-old boy into a car outside an Auckland primary school yesterday before bystanders intervened and the man drove off.
Police confirmed they were investigating an incident from around 3pm on Monday outside Rowandale School in the suburb of Manurewa.
“Police are still working to understand exactly what was occurring at the time and our enquiries are ongoing,” a spokesperson said.
“We have spoken with the boy and will continue to work through a careful process, given he is a young person.”
Rowandale School principal Karl Vasau said in a statement to social media that other parents had intervened.
“The student then made his way home and told his parents who then came into school to let us know and then they rung the police.”
Vasau told 1News the pupil was “doing fine” following the incident and was surrounded by a “supportive, loving family”.
“Our student is safe now and his family are thankful that nothing further happened to their boy but are wanting us all to be aware and stay safe. It’s about working with that child to make them feel safe again, but also looking forward to returning back to school with a little bit of normality.”
Police had reacted “pretty quickly” to the reports, he said.
“They’ve been in this morning to touch base and connect, the community police constables are going to come back to tomorrow to address the whole school in relation to what had happened and around keeping themselves safe before and after school.”
Increased police patrols would remain in the area after school from Wednesday, he added.
Anyone with relevant information should contact police on 105.
