Police hunt man who offered lifts to schoolgirls

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 0800-555-111. Photo / File

Police are looking for a man who is believed to have approached schoolchildren at Red Beach in Whangaparaoa on consecutive days.

Police said yesterday that two 13-year-old girls were approached on Moffat Rd before school on Thursday morning. A 9-year-old girl was also approached outside Red Beach School on Bay Vista Drive on Wednesday afternoon.

In both incidences a man, described as being in his 40s with wavy hair, offered a lift to the girls. Both times the girls declined and notified adults. The description of the vehicle was different in both cases, Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Batty said.

Police are investigating whether the incidents are linked.

The cases at Red Beach follow an incident on Greenhithe Rd, about 24km from Red Beach School, which is not believed to be linked.

On Monday, a 5-year-old boy was approached by a suspicious man as he walked home about 50m in front of his mother. Detective Sergeant Megan Goldie said the man, in a white van, approached the boy, who was able to "wriggle away".

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 0800-555-111.