KEY POINTS:
Two young girls abducted by their father on Wednesday may be in danger, say police.
The five and six-year-old girls were taken by their father Jamahl Schou, also known as Jamahl Ake, from their Child, Youth and Family (CYF) caregiver in the Tauranga suburb of Brookfield on Wednesday.
"Their welfare can't be guaranteed until they have been returned to CYF and on that basis, yes they possibly are in a degree of danger," Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner, from the Tauranga CIB, said today.
He would not say why police believed the girls were in danger, why they were abducted or if their father had a criminal record.
He was asked if Schou had threatened to physically harm the girls.
"I can't comment on that. They are in CYF custody and until they are returned to CYF custody there is no guarantee they are safe."
He would not say why they were being cared for by CYF.
He said police did not know if Schou had left Tauranga or if anyone was helping him elude police.
He would not release details of the abduction.
"We won't comment on the circumstances surrounding that. The main thing to try and get them back."
He said police were not aware that Schou had a vehicle.
Schou was a Maori, 33, of medium build.
Anyone with information should call Tauranga police on 0800 SPEAKUP (0800 7732587).
- NZPA