Man charged after Tauranga child abduction

Police have arrested an 18-year-old Tauranga man following the abduction of a five-year-old girl in the town today.

Officers earlier said the girl was walking to school with her 7-year-old brother in suburban Mangatapu about 9am when she was approached by a man and taken away.

She was found safe in an isolated rural area of the Bay of Plenty a few hours later.

The arrested man will appear in the Tauranga District Court tomorrow facing charges of abduction, robbery and indecent assault.

Police want to hear of any sightings of a white 1991 Mitsubishi Lancer in the Welcome Bay urban and rural areas this morning.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF