Accosted 10-year-old 'did the right thing'

Hamilton police are looking for witnesses to an incident this morning where a 10-year-old boy was chased by an unknown man. File photo / NZ Herald

A 10-year-old boy accosted in Hamilton this morning has earned police praise for "doing the right thing".

Detective Sergeant Neville Ross said the boy was walking to school in suburban Hillcrest between 8.30-8.45am when a man in a car started following him along Morrinsville Road.

The man then pulled up alongside the boy near the roundabout at the intersection of Morrinsville and Cambridge roads, got out of the car and started following him on foot.

"When the boy tried to run away the man chased, grabbing his arm," Mr Ross said.

The boy was able to shrug off his attacker before running off and raising the alarm at his school.

"We're very concerned at the nature of the attack and are seeking witnesses who may have noticed a man chasing or grabbing the boy at a time when there was peak hour traffic," Mr Ross said.

"Police view this incident very seriously and we commend the boy for the action he took. Officers have been working with the school and a notice to parents advising them of what has happened is going home with students today."

Police were seeking witnesses to the incident.