Girl escapes abduction bid

A 13-year-old girl was chased by a would-be kidnapper in a car through a Wellington suburb last night.

Police were appealing for witnesses after a man driving a white four-door car tried to abduct the college student in the Melrose-Newtown area last night, acting detective sergeant Mark Lewis said.

He said the incident was "particularly sinister" as the man was verbally forceful in ordering the girl into his car.

She refused and ran off but was pursued by the man in his car through neighbouring streets until she lost him near the National Hockey Stadium on Mt Albert Road.

"Fortunately the student was not physically harmed although naturally she was shaken by the ordeal," Mr Lewis said.

"She kept her cool and was able to elude him."

The girl had not managed to get a registration number for the car but had been able to give police a full physical description of her would-be attacker.

The incident happened about 5.20pm to 5.25pm by Martin Luckie Park, not far from the Mt Albert Road and Lavaud Street intersection.

The student had been on a training run with her sports team, part of which involved warm up exercises on Martin Luckie Park.

While the rest of the team continued their training run, the victim returned briefly to the park to retrieve team clothing.

She was heading to rejoin the team when the white four-door car drove down the hill from Melrose and stopped her.

"The driver got out and told her forcefully several times to get into the car.

"When he made a move towards her she ran off back across Martin Luckie Park to the corner of Lavaud and Rintoul Streets."

The driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, chased her along Herald St, Rintoul St and Russel Terrace until she was finally able to alert some adults, who contacted police.

The offender is described as tall, dark skinned, big build and possibly with facial stubble. He was wearing a bulky black hoody, and possibly dark coloured pants.

Mr Lewis said the victim remembered seeing a man kicking a ball around with some younger children on Martin Luckie Park while her sports team was warming up on a neighbouring field.

"This man may also have noticed the car and we're asking him to contact Wellington CIB.

"It was still reasonably light at the time so we're hopeful he or other members of the public who were in the area can give us more information."

- NZPA