Police are looking for two males who tried to entice a 12-year-old girl into their car as she was walking to school this morning.
The Havelock North Intermediate student was walking along Te Mata Road on her way to school around 8am today.
As she got onto Guthrie Road, a small white four-door rusty, older car pulled up beside her and the two occupants offered her a ride to school.
Detective Jeff Foley of Hawke's Bay CIB said the males were persistent and continued driving beside her even as she said no and ran from them.
The incident left the student feeling quite panicked and upset.
The driver was described as Maori, approximately 18 years old.
He was wearing a red basketball style singlet with black numbering on it, a black hooded sweatshirt and a plain black cap.
The passenger was described as a tall looking male Maori youth.
Mr Foley said "stranger danger" incidents were taken seriously by police.
"The males in this car appear to have viewed their unwanted approach to this young girl as humorous, but it was anything but.
The victim was extremely upset and frightened."
"We are keen to identify these males so they can gain an appreciation of what impact their actions had this morning and potentially be given an opportunity to make amends," Mr Foley said.
Anyone with information about the males should contact Mr Foley at HB Police on 06 8310700 or information can be left anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
