Featherston mum sounds stranger alarm

CAUTION: The mother of a girl approached by a man in a van in Daniell St, Featherston is warning other parents to be on their guard. PHOTO/ANDREW BONALLACK

The mother of a Featherston girl who was approached by a stranger in a van who asked her "if she liked money" has alerted nearby schools, saying parents need to aware of the dangers.

Racheal Burt, whose 15-year-old daughter was approached by the man last week, said she had contacted Featherston School, St Theresa's and Kuranui College to ask them to alert parents and pupils.

Mrs Burt said parents should be aware that someone had been out there and to keep their kids safe, otherwise "some other poor innocent kids might get picked up".

She had also been alerting the Featherston community by posting warnings online on Facebook.

Mrs Burt's daughter was on Daniell St on Friday afternoon when a white van with tinted windows pulled up, and the driver asked "do you live around this area?" and "if she liked money?", looking behind him as he did so.

Her daughter thought he looked "suss" and wondered if there was "someone in the back of the van, is someone going to grab me?".

Mrs Burt said her daughter "ran for it" after her encounter with the man, and told her mother she felt "scared because she knew that he was a bit dodgy".

She then texted her mother to let her know what had happened. She was alarmed when she received the text from her daughter, Mrs Burt said.

"I was like 'oh no, what the hell is going on?' and sort of freaking out - it was quite freaky."

The incident has since been reported to police and to the Featherston Community Board.

After some initial qualms, her daughter has resumed walking to school, usually accompanied by her brother or friends.

It was important parents were aware of the incident, Mrs Burt said. "If they are under age, be safe and pick them up or make sure that they are with a friend."