KEY POINTS:
Police are investigating two separate attempted abductions in which young girls were grabbed by men while walking to school yesterday.
The incidents happened within half an hour of each other and police are looking to see if there is any chance the cases are linked.
In the first case, an 11-year-old was walking to school on Fordham St in Beach Haven when a man pulled alongside her in a white car.
"The man jumped out and grabbed her and put his hand over her mouth," the girl's grandfather Anthony McCall said. "She's fairly tall for her age and she managed to escape."
As she ran off down the road towards Birkdale Intermediate, Mr McCall said the man yelled out, "I'll be watching for you."
Detective Steve Brewer said police searched the area but were unable to find the man or his car, which is described as a white, two-door hatchback - possibly a Honda Civic with a registration plate starting XA - with a dent in the driver's door.
Counties Manukau police were called to a similar attempted abduction in Otara about half an hour earlier.
A 14-year-old was walking to Clover Park Middle School about 8am when the driver of a small hatchback parked on Ravenna Way told her to "jump in the car".
She ignored him and kept walking. The man, who had a passenger with him, then got out and grabbed her arm while saying, "Get in the car".
Police say she managed to escape from the man's grasp and ran to school, where she later told the principal what happened.
N. SHORE CASE
The Driver
Pacific Islander.
Possibly in his late teens.
Approximately 1.8m tall.
Wearing a white and black cap with thick white stripes, baggy jeans and a green and white basketball-type shirt.
Driving a white 2-door hatchback with a dent in the driver's door. Car is possibly a Honda Civic with a registration starting XA.
Anyone with information is asked to phone Child Abuse Team on 477 5000.
C. MANUKAU CASE
The Driver
Pacific Islander, dark brown skin.
Approx 30, curly brown/blond hair.
Just under 1.8m tall, medium build.
Tattoo on left shoulder (upper arm area) described as band of arrows.
Plain white singlet, pink and blue lavalava.
Driving a dark coloured hatchback.
Anyone with information is asked to phone Crime Squad on 261 1300 or 027 4974912
